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Meaning & use

drug probe

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈdrʌɡ prəʊb/
US/ˈdrʌɡ proʊb/

Meaning

  1. nouncountable

    An official investigation into illegal drug activity, such as trafficking or possession.

    Grammar: Countable: use 'a drug probe' for one, 'drug probes' for more than one.

    Patterns

    • a drug probe into something
    • launch a drug probe
    • a federal drug probe

    The police launched a drug probe after finding a large amount of heroin.

    A drug probe into the smuggling ring led to several arrests.

    The newspaper reported that a drug probe was underway in the city.

Word forms

pluraldrug probes

Common combinations

launch a drug probe
The authorities launched a drug probe into the distribution network.
a drug probe into something
The drug probe into the clinic's practices lasted six months.
federal drug probe
A federal drug probe resulted in charges against five people.
under investigation in a drug probe
Two officers are under investigation in a drug probe.

Synonyms and how they differ

drug investigation
A more general term that can refer to any inquiry, not just an official one; 'drug probe' often implies a formal, high-profile case.
narcotics investigation
Similar meaning but uses 'narcotics', a more technical word for illegal drugs; common in official contexts.

Word family

probe noun
An investigation or a thorough examination.
probe verb
To investigate or examine something closely.

Commonly confused: drug probe or drug problem? drug probe or drug test?

drug probe vs drug problem

A drug problem is a general issue with drugs in society or for a person; a drug probe is a specific investigation.

drug probe vs drug test

A drug test checks someone's body for drugs; a drug probe is a broader investigation into drug-related crimes.

Practice

The police have opened a drug probe ____ the recent overdose deaths.

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