root out

verb

Etymology: From the notion of eradication: ripping something out by the roots.

1. To remove or abolish completely.

   “They rooted out all vestiges of corruption.”

   “They rooted out all the burdock from their paddocks.”

2. To search for and discover.

   “Near-synonym: suss out”

   “It took them hours to root out exactly where the water was coming in.”