probe for

probe for

1. To inquire of or interrogate someone for some information. The detective has been probing the suspect for info about the criminal organization. I wish you wouldn't probe me for details after every date I go on!
2. To search some place or thing for something, especially when one does not have a clear idea of where to look. Let me probe the cupboard for something to eat. We'll need to probe our emails for the document you're looking for.
See also: probe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

probe something for something

to poke around in something for something. He probed his memory for some clue as to where he had been on that date. Sam probed the darkened space for the tool that he had mislaid.
See also: probe
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • probe
  • inquire of (someone or something)
  • What is (someone) up to?
  • grill
  • grill (someone) (about something)
  • enquire
  • enquire about (someone or something)
  • drill (someone) (with questions)
  • hammer away at
References in periodicals archive
Many investigators have used the hot-film probe for two-phase flow measurements [1, 3, 4].
Local Void Fractions and Bubble Velocity in Vertical Air-Water Two-Phase Flows Measured by Needle-Contact Capacitance Probe
MS formed an inquiry committee and it was suggested during preliminary investigation that since the probe was found missing during duty hours of PGT and nurse, both would contribute to purchase a new probe for the labour room to avoid legal action against them, source said.
Doctor 'steals' ultra-sound cable from hospital
The SX 1 near-field probe set includes a new member: the SX-B 3-1 H-field probe for frequencies between 1 GHz and 3 GHz, whose measurement coil is arranged orthogonally to the probe shaft and thus rests directly on the surface of the PCB when the probe head is held vertically.
Near-field probes
The Ontario Prospector's Association recognized Probe for the discovery with the Ontario Prospector Award in November 2013.
Goldcorp to acquire Probe Mines
For examiner 1, the t-test for independent samples (p < 0.01) results showed no statistically significant differences between each probe for the abovementioned variables (Table 1).
Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of manual probing depth
Oxford Instruments reckons its UVTouch OES probe for positive material identification work is the only alloy analyser probe that comes with a 10m flexible connection cable.
Probe gets seen in high places
Stoup, Fiber Deflection Probe for Small Hole Metrology, Precision Eng.--J.
Geometric effects when measuring small holes with micro contact probes
Standard technology would have required four probes with a unique size probe for 0.100", 0.075", 0.050" and 1-mm along with four unique receptacles.
Short-wire test fixtures: shrink targets while maintaining integrity: more test points and shrinking real estate drive improvements in test tools
Detector[TM] is designed as an in-machine gauge probe for measuring outside diameters from 1.375" to 2.75".
Diameter gauge probe
diam., 4-in.-long needle probe for insertion/immersion; micro-needle probe with 3/16-in.-long tip for elastomeric molds; and surface probes with ceramic-encased tips and straight or 90[degrees] shafts for molds, barrels, and platens.
Temperature sensors, monitors, controls
When designing the die, alignment marks near the die's pads help to align the coplanar probe for a consistent amount of over-travel.
RF coplanar probe basics
A probe for measuring dry cured powder coating thickness -- the 'FN2' -- is also available.
Probe measures powder thickness. (Powder Coating)
Nicolet introduces a new 8-MHz pointed-style vascular probe for the Elite series of handheld Dopplers.
Pointed vascular probe
The probe for Cassini, ESA officials estimate, would cost another $260 million.
ESA plans probe for U.S. Titan mission