rummage about
[/ˈrʌmɪdʒ əˈbaʊt/]
verb (phrasal verb)
mexer, revirar, procurar vasculhando
1. to search through something in a disorganized or hurried manner, moving things around while looking for something
She rummaged about in her purse looking for her keys.
Ela mexeu na bolsa procurando suas chaves.
2. to move around a place searching for something without a clear system or order
The children rummaged about in the attic looking for old toys.
As crianças vasculharam o sótão procurando brinquedos antigos.
3. to browse or look through items casually or aimlessly
He rummaged about through the secondhand books at the market.
Ele revirou os livros usados no mercado.
This phrasal verb is commonly used in both American and British English to describe casual searching behavior. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'mexer' and 'vasculhar' are more frequently used in everyday speech. The expression often implies a somewhat disorganized or thorough search, and is frequently associated with activities like shopping at thrift stores, searching through drawers, or browsing secondhand markets.
NYC Slang
dig around, poke around, hunt through
Related Idioms & Phrases
rummage about like a pack rat
rummage about for bargains
rummage about in the dark
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