These expressions are used to show interest or intrigue. Here are 20 idioms and phrasal verbs that express curiosity.

Curiosity Expressions

1. Nose around
   Meaning: Investigate or look for something secretly
   Example: He likes to nose around in his neighbor’s garden.
2. Poke one’s nose into
   Meaning: Interfere in someone else’s business
   Example: She shouldn’t poke her nose into other people’s affairs.
3. Raise eyebrows
   Meaning: Show surprise or curiosity
   Example: His strange behavior raised a few eyebrows.
4. Dig up
   Meaning: Find hidden or forgotten information
   Example: The journalist dug up some old secrets.
5. Sniff around
   Meaning: Investigate or search carefully
   Example: The detective sniffed around the suspect’s home.
6. Itching to know
   Meaning: Very curious to find out
   Example: I’m itching to know the surprise!
7. Curiosity killed the cat
   Meaning: Being too curious can lead to trouble
   Example: Don’t ask too many questions; curiosity killed the cat.
8. Check out
   Meaning: Look at or examine carefully
   Example: He wants to check out the new bookstore.
9. On the lookout for
   Meaning: Searching for or expecting
   Example: She’s always on the lookout for new recipes.
10. Burning question
    Meaning: An important, intriguing question
    Example: His burning question is why she left.
11. Look into
    Meaning: Investigate or examine
    Example: They are looking into the complaints.
12. Pick someone’s brain
    Meaning: Ask for someone’s expert advice
    Example: I’d like to pick your brain on this topic.
13. Root around
    Meaning: Search among a collection
    Example: She rooted around in her bag for the keys.
14. Fishing for information
    Meaning: Try to subtly obtain information
    Example: He was fishing for information about her plans.
15. Prick up one’s ears
    Meaning: Listen carefully with interest
    Example: His ears pricked up at the mention of a promotion.
16. Inquisitive mind
    Meaning: Naturally curious and eager to learn
    Example: Her inquisitive mind always seeks new knowledge.
17. Seek out
    Meaning: Search for or find
    Example: He sought out the best experts in the field.
18. Glean information
    Meaning: Gather or extract information
    Example: She gleaned information from various reports.
19. Ask around
    Meaning: Inquire or gather information from people
    Example: He asked around to find the best mechanic.
20. Out of curiosity
    Meaning: Out of interest, not necessity
    Example: I tried the new restaurant out of curiosity.