winkle out

verb2

1. •
   (UK) To acquire with difficulty, as by thorough scrutiny.

   • Tom managed to winkle the truth out of John eventually.
2. •
   To get (something or someone) out of an entrenched position.

   • […] was mopping up the remnants of German resistance and trying to winkle out individual enemy soldiers from their hiding places. — 2011