ferret2 verb [intransitiveI] 1 [always + adverbadv/prepositionprep] informalLOOK FOR to search for something that is lost or hidden among a lot of things or inside a drawer, box etc 〔在抽屉、箱子里等〕搜找,翻寻ferret around/round/about He started ferreting around in his desk. 他开始在自己的书桌里翻找起来。
ferret for She ferreted in her bag for a pen. 她在包里翻找钢笔。
2. CATCHto hunt rats and rabbits using a ferret 用雪貂猎鼠[猎兔]
3 ferret somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verbphr v a) FIND OUTto succeed in finding something such as a piece of information, that is difficult to find 查获;搜出 It’s been difficult for reporters to ferret out the facts in this case. 记者很难查出这件事的真相。
Uncle Vernon ferreted out the laundry box from under the stairs. 弗农叔叔在楼梯下面找到了洗衣筐。
b) American EnglishAmE to find and usually get rid of someone who is causing a problem 查出并除去〔惹出麻烦的人〕 The new program is meant to ferret out problem cops. 这个新计划旨在清除问题警员。