durchwühlen
Translation
to rummage through, to ransack, to go through
Examples
Er durchwühlte die Schublade nach dem Schlüssel.
He rummaged through the drawer for the key.
Die Diebe haben das ganze Haus durchwühlt.
The thieves ransacked the whole house.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to rummage through sth. He durchwühlte his bag.
((sth.)) ((for sth.)) to rummage through sth. for sth. She rummaged through the closet for a dress.
Similar Words
durchsuchen (to search), stöbern (to browse, to rummage)
Etymology
From 'durch' (through, thoroughly) + 'wühlen' (to dig, to root around). An inseparable verb meaning 'to dig through thoroughly'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a wild boar ('wühlen') going *through* ('durch') a pile of leaves, searching messily for food.