in quest of

in quest of (someone or something)

Hunting, seeking, or searching for someone or something. Want to come with me to the library? I'm in quest of an obscure textbook for my research paper. My parents came to this country in quest of a better future. Tommy been in quest of a new girlfriend ever since Patsy dumped him.
See also: of, quest
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in quest of someone or something

 and in search of someone or something
seeking or hunting something; trying to find something. They went into town in quest of a reasonably priced restaurant. Monday morning I'll go out in search of a job.
See also: of, quest
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • in quest of (someone or something)
  • quest
  • hunt after
  • hunt after (someone or something)
  • hunt for
  • hunt for (someone or something)
  • cadge
  • section off
  • screen off
  • in search of (someone or something)
References in classic literature
A MAN who had been bitten by a Dog went about in quest of someone who might heal him.
Fables
The party had scarcely encamped on the afternoon of the 28th, when two of the hunters who had sallied forth in quest of game came galloping back in great alarm.
Their white robes lengthen as the winter advances, and spread themselves far into the plain, driving the buffalo in herds to the banks of the river in quest of food; where they are easily slain in great numbers.
Adventures of Captain Bonneville USA in the Rocky Mountains and
An you will entertain my little company, and be ready to sally forth, upon the second day, in quest of me if need were, I shall e'en fare alone into the greenwood to seek an adventure with him."
Robin Hood
He went in quest of sympathy - in quest of that droll article that we all suppose ourselves to want when in a strait, and have agreed to call advice; and he went, besides, with vague but rather splendid expectations of relief.
Tales and Fantasies
He now ordered that signals should be made for the stragglers in quest of water; but the night passed away without their return.
Here he remained all the succeeding day, as well to give time for the Crows to get in the advance, as for the stragglers, who had wandered away in quest of water two days previously, to rejoin the camp.
Astoria or Anecdotes of an enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountain