root around for (something)

root around for (something)

To dig or rummage aimlessly (in or through some cluttered location in order to find something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "around" and "for" to specify where one is looking. Tom went up the attic and rooted around for his old comic book location. A raccoon had gotten into the dumpster and was rooting around for something to eat. I caught my brother rooting around my purse for money again.See also: around, root