nose around (something) (also nose about (something) British English) phrasal verb informal (see also nose)
to look around a place in order to try to find something, when there is no one else there:
What were you doing nosing around in my office?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

nose around
to try to discover information.
Justice Department lawyers started nosing around after they received a complaint from a former employee.

Related vocabulary: sniff out someone/something

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

nose around
• nose about/around (something)
to look for something private or secret, to investigate something; to pry into something
The reporters spend a lot of time nosing around the business of famous people.

The secretary nosed around her boss's desk to try and discover what was happening in the company.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

nose around something
• nose about/around (something)
to look for something private or secret, to investigate something; to pry into something
The reporters spend a lot of time nosing around the business of famous people.

The secretary nosed around her boss's desk to try and discover what was happening in the company.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

nose around
{v. phr.}, {informal} To look for something kept private or secret; poke about; explore; inquire; pry.
In Grandmother's attic, Sally spent a while nosing about in the old family pictures.

The detective was nosing around in the crowd looking for pickpockets.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲