rummage through

rummage through (something) (for something)

To dig or root around aimlessly in or through some cluttered place or collection of things in order to find something. I caught my brother rummaging through my purse again. A raccoon was rummaging through the dumpster for something to eat. We spent the whole afternoon rummaging through old photographs of Granny Mary, picking the best ones for her memorial service.See also: rummage, through

rummage through something

to move things about haphazardly while searching through something. I rummaged through my top drawer, looking for any two socks that matched. Mary spent some time rummaging through the toolbox before she found what she was looking for.See also: rummage, through