root about

root about

To dig or rummage aimlessly (in or through some cluttered space or location). Tom rooted about in the attic for a while, but he couldn't find his old comic book collection. A raccoon had gotten into the dumpster and was rooting about for something to eat. He walked into the office and caught two men rooting about the filing cabinets.
See also: root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • root around
  • hunt through
  • hunt through (something) (for something)
  • root through (something) (for something)
  • rummage
  • rummage around
  • root around for (something)
  • root around in (something) for (something)
  • rat through (something)
  • root around in (something)