scour (something or some place) for (someone or something)
To search thoroughly inside of or all around some place or thing for someone or something. I've been scouring the internet for information about this strange new app my kids are using. We scoured the warehouse for evidence, but we couldn't find anything that would hold up in court.
scour (something) off of (something else)
To remove something off of someone or something else with vigorous scrubbing, especially by using a very abrasive brush or cleaning pad. You'll need to scour the dirt off the potatoes before you start boiling them. I spent the whole day scouring rust off of the fence around our property.
scour (something) out of (something else)
To remove something out of something else with vigorous scrubbing, especially by using a very abrasive brush or cleaning pad. I spent nearly an hour trying to scour the dried paint out of the cups, but I just couldn't get it all out. Take this wire brush and scour the rust out of the rims of the wheels.
scour off
To remove something (off of someone or something else) with vigorous scrubbing, especially by using a very abrasive brush or cleaning pad. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scour" and "off." You'll need to scour off the dirt before you start boiling the potatoes. I spent the whole day scouring rust off the fence around our property.
scour out
1. To remove something out of something else with vigorous scrubbing, especially by using a very abrasive brush or cleaning pad. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scour" and "out." I spent nearly an hour trying to scour the dried paint out of the cups, but I just couldn't get it all out. Take this wire brush and scour out the rust from the rims of the wheels.
2. To clean the inside of something with vigorous scrubbing, especially by using a very abrasive brush or cleaning pad. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scour" and "out." Let the saucepans soak overnight before you try to scour them out—it should make it easier. We should probably scour out the entire length of pipe to ensure the water can flow properly.
3. To search extensively or exhaustively for something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scour" and "out." I'm a vegan, so I spend half my time shopping trying to scour out the symbol telling me whether food is vegan friendly or not. I've been scouring a location out for our photo shoot.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
scour something for someone or something
to look carefully and thoroughly in something for someone or something. I scoured the entire roster of members for a person who would agree to run for president. The police scoured the entire area for any sign of the suspects.
scour something off (of) something
and scour something offto clean something off something else by scouring. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) See if you can scour the rust off the cookie sheet. I will scour off the rust with steel wool.
scour something out
to clean something out by scouring. Would you scour the pans out? Please scour out the pans—don't just wash them.
scour something out of something
to clean something out of something by scouring. Did you scour the rust out of the pan? Please scour the burned material out of the bowl.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.