root up
Related to root up: Deep rooted
root up
1. Literally, to tear, pull, or dig something from the ground by its roots. A noun or pronoun can be used between "root" and "up." We'll have to root these old trees up before we can begin any work on the new foundation. The dog got into my garden and started rooting up all my flowers.
2. By extension, to uncover information about someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "root" and "up." We need to start rooting some solutions up if we want to survive until the end of the winter. Once I contact my usual sources at the tabloids, I should be able to root up some dirt on that actress.
See also: root, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
root something up
[for a pig] to find something in the ground by digging with its nose. The pigs will root your plants up if they get out of their pen. The pigs will root up your plants if they get out of their pen.
See also: root, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
root up
v.
1. To remove something by the roots: We had to root up the tree stumps in our new yard. Let's root these weeds up before it rains.
2. To unearth or expose some cause, solution, or basis: The public health officials rooted up the cause of the pandemic. I don't know what the answer is, but I'm sure we can root it up on the Internet.
See also: root, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- root out
- base in
- base on
- bases
- base (up)on
- get to the root of (something)
- get to the root of something
- ground on (something)
- rummage around for (something)
- piece out