What does "nose around" mean?

To snoop around; to discreetly or covertly search or examine a place or situation.

What is a synonym for "nose around"?

Common synonyms include: be curious, beat the bushes, burn with curiosity, burrow, delve, dig.

verb, slang

verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level

Verb

1
To snoop around; to discreetly or covertly search or examine a place or situation. idiomatic, informal
"The state had no business nosing around in people's sexual lives."
2
To browse; to look at, especially to satisfy one's curiosity. idiomatic, informal
"As you may now realise, it has become my habit to get a feel of a racecourse by nosing around the local churches."
3
Of an animal, to explore using the nose. informal
"The tiger nosed around in the weeds for a while, but soon returned to its original hiding place, presumably to mull over what it had learned."

"The state had no business nosing around in people's sexual lives."