search for (someone or something)
search for (someone or something)
To hunt, seek, or try to discover something. We've been searching for locations to shoot our new film. The border is always filled with refugees searching for a better future.
See also: search
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
search someone for something
to feel, touch, pat, frisk, or examine electronically a person's body, looking for something hidden underneath the clothes. The police searched the suspect for hidden weapons. The airport guard used an electronic instrument to search the passengers for weapons.
See also: search
search something for someone or something
to examine something, looking for someone or something. Everyone searched the house for little Wally, but he was not to be found. I searched all my coat pockets for the note, but I didn't find it.
See also: search
search for someone or something
to look very hard for someone or something. I searched for Ted everywhere, but he was already gone. I have searched for my glasses high and low.
See also: search
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
search for
v.
To conduct a thorough investigation for someone or something; seek someone or something: The police are searching for the missing student.
See also: search
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- search for
- search out
- search after
- search after (someone or something)
- search through
- search through (something or some place)
- searching
- be like looking for a needle in a haystack
- haystack
- like looking for/trying to find a needle in a haystack