to find or get someone or something when they are difficult to find or getoften + of
I managed to winkle the truth out of him eventually.
phrasewinkle out1.winkle sb out • winkle out sbBrE to make someone leave a position or place, even though it is difficult because they do not want to leave+ ofCritics such as Douglas Wass were winkled out of their positions of influence.Smoke bombs and stun grenades were used to winkle the terrorists out of the building.2.winkle out sth • winkle sth outBrE to succeed in getting something especially information that someone does not want to tell you by asking them a lot of questions+ ofMrs Fulton finally managed to winkle the truth out of him.■ SIMILAR TO: worm out