Definition

1. Noun:

   • A utensil with a mesh or perforated bottom: A device used for separating finer particles from coarser ones, or solids from liquids, by passing the material through its mesh or holes.
   • A person who cannot keep a secret: (Informal, figurative) A person who talks indiscreetly or leaks information.

2. Verb:

   • To put through a sieve: To separate or refine by passing a substance through a sieve.
   • To examine carefully and selectively: To scrutinize information or a group of items in detail to assess suitability or to separate the valuable from the worthless.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Pour the flour through a sieve to remove any lumps.
  • Don't tell him anything confidential; he's a real sieve.

• Verb:

  • Sieve the powdered sugar over the cake for a fine dusting.
  • We need to sieve these applications to find the most qualified candidates.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a memory/mind like a sieve": (Idiomatic) To be very forgetful or unable to retain information.

  • I'm sorry I forgot your birthday; I have a memory like a sieve.

• "to sieve out": To remove unwanted elements through a process of careful examination or physical separation.

  • The investigation aims to sieve out the facts from the rumors.

Variants and Related Words

• Sifter (n): A device, often a container with a perforated top, used for sifting, especially in cooking.

  • She used a flour sifter for the dry ingredients.

• Screen (n/v): A similar device or action for separating or examining. (Note: While related, "screen" often implies a broader examination or filtration process).

  • All luggage must be screened at the airport.

Synonyms

• Strainer (n): A device for separating solids from liquids.
• Filter (n/v): A device or action to remove unwanted elements.
• Sift (v): To examine closely or to put through a sieve.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sieve through: To examine a large amount of material carefully to find specific items or information.
  • Researchers had to sieve through centuries of archives.

Related Idioms

• "To pour water into a sieve": (Proverbial) To engage in a futile or pointless task.
  • Trying to get him to be punctual is like pouring water into a sieve.

Noun

1. a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles

Verb

1. distinguish and separate out
   • sift through the job candidates
2. separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
   • sift the flour
3. check and sort carefully
   • sift the information
4. examine in order to test suitability
   • screen these samples
   • screen the job applicants