in BRIT, also use 英国英语亦用 sniff about, sniff round
1 PHRASAL VERB 打探情况;刺探消息 If a person is sniffing around, they are trying to find out information about something, especially information that someone else does not want known. 打探情况;刺探消息 [informal]
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But really, what harm could it possibly do to pop down there and just sniff around?. [VERB PREP.]
不过说真的，马上赶到那里去打探一下情况会有什么坏处呢？
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A couple of plain-clothes men had been sniffing round his apartment. [VERB PREP. noun]
几名便衣男子一直在他的公寓周边打探。
SYN nose around, hunt around, see what you can find, search for clues
2 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] 试图抢走(心上人);企图挖走(员工、顾客等) If a person or organization is sniffing around someone, they are trying to get them, for example as a lover, employee, or client. 试图抢走(心上人);企图挖走(员工、顾客等) [informal]
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When I had to go away to university, I was convinced that other men would be sniffing round her. [VERB PREP. noun]
当我不得不离开去上大学的时候，我很清楚别的男人会打她的主意。
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Rioch knows the big clubs have been sniffing around Andy Walker. [VERB PREP. noun]
里奥克知道那些大俱乐部一直在企图挖走安迪·沃克。