sift out

present singular third person sifts out · participle present sifting out · participle past sifted out · past sifted out

1. idiomaticTo isolate or identify one particular thing from a collection that includes less relevant things.

   Besides, a little judicious eavesdropping might sift out a useful nugget or two.

   2005, Timothy Zahn, Night Train to Rigel, →ISBN, page 159

   2 more examples

   So in the waning days of the 20th Century, concert programmers and ticket-buyers alike have become informed and careful about what to sell and what to buy; to sift out the good new music from the not-so-good.

   1997, Valerie Cruice, When Do I Clap?: A Slightly Irreverent Guide to Classical Music and Concert Hall Conduct, →ISBN, page 129

   The unfolding narrative often exposes a disciple's uneven progress, striving to sift out authentic guides from their counterfeits.

   2006, Vernon Ruland, Living Out the Questions: A Jesuit Confession, →ISBN, page 125

   Synonyms: sieve out, winnow