sleuth out

USAGE SUMMARY

"sleuth out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to discovering or uncovering a hidden or mysterious truth. For example, "I need to sleuth out the truth behind why she left the country so suddenly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

(Microsoft says this problem isn't normal, and tried valiantly, but unsuccessfully, to sleuth out the cause).

The New York Times

Scholars continue to sleuth out new names, dates, attributions and other information.

The New York Times - Arts

Working on the assumption that the poem is essentially a work of nonfiction, City Room tried to sleuth out when it might have been written.

The New York Times

Accordingly, the California Walnut Commission decided to sleuth out more details about why people aren't connecting the dots between omega-3s and polyunsaturated fats.

The Washington Post

What he couldn't sleuth out on his own, he would coax from one of the promoter's underlings, who were often eager to curry favor with the great Irving Azoff.

The New York Times

It has also certainly paid close attention to how the press tracked some of its clandestine international flights carrying terrorism suspects after 9/11, and will in the future undoubtedly make it much harder to sleuth out who is going where.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Sam Wasson is a fabulous social historian because he finds meaning in situations and stories that would otherwise be forgotten if he didn't sleuth them out, lovingly.

The New Yorker

Geraldine McEwan's formidable sleuth starts out with a return to a high-class London establishment that she last visited as a child: Little Miss Marple.

The Guardian

Then, rather, brilliantly, a sleuth dug out a paparazzi photograph of Demi-as-Poot right at the moment the fan pic was taken.

The Guardian - Tech

And the "sleuth" turned out to be a middle-aged dog-walker, who stumbled upon her remains in the very area the police claimed to have searched so meticulously 12 months earlier.

The Guardian - Opinion

By Hilton Als July 15 , 2010Sam Wasson is a fabulous social historian because he finds meaning in situations and stories that would otherwise be forgotten if he didn't sleuth them out, lovingly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sleuth out" when you want to emphasize a detective-like approach to discovering information, often implying persistence and cleverness.

Common error

Avoid using "sleuth out" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "investigate" or "determine" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sleuth out" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of discovering or uncovering something through investigation, often implying a detective-like approach. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sleuth out" is a phrasal verb meaning to discover or uncover something through careful investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While grammatically correct, it's more common in news and media contexts than in formal academic writing. Consider alternatives like "uncover" or "investigate" depending on your intended audience and the level of formality required. The phrase suggests a detective-like approach to finding information, emphasizing persistence and cleverness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ferret out

Similar in meaning, suggesting diligent searching.

uncover

A more general term for revealing something hidden.

discover

Implies finding something new or previously unknown.

investigate

Suggests a more formal and systematic inquiry.

unearth

Suggests revealing something long buried or forgotten.

dig up

Implies effort and persistence in finding information.

ascertain

A more formal way of saying to find something out.

detect

Implies noticing something not easily apparent.

expose

Implies revealing something scandalous or hidden.

find out

A simpler, more common way to express discovery.

FAQs

What does "sleuth out" mean?

"Sleuth out" means to discover or find something, especially through investigation or detective work. It implies a careful and persistent search.

How can I use "sleuth out" in a sentence?

You can use "sleuth out" in a sentence like: "The journalist had to "sleuth out" the truth behind the scandal."

What are some alternatives to "sleuth out"?

Alternatives to "sleuth out" include "uncover", "discover", or "investigate", depending on the specific context.

Is "sleuth out" appropriate for formal writing?

While "sleuth out" is a valid phrase, it's generally more suitable for informal or journalistic contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "ascertain" or "determine".