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。
→ ferret somebody/something ↔ out at ferret2(1)