ふるいにかける

expression, ichidan verb

sieve; sift; winnow; separate

Literally passing something through a sieve to separate particles. Also used for winnowing grain.

• 小こ麦むぎ粉こをふるいにかけてダマを取とり除のぞく。

  Sift the flour to remove lumps.

• 砂すなをふるいにかけて小こ石いしを分わける。

  Sieve the sand to separate out the pebbles.

expression, ichidan verb

screen; weed out; select

Figurative use: examining a group of people or things to select the best or eliminate the unsuitable.

• 応おう募ぼ者しゃをふるいにかけて最さい終しゅう候こう補ほを選えらぶ。

  Screen the applicants to choose the final candidates.

• 大たい量りょうのデータをふるいにかけて必ひつ要ような情じょう報ほうだけを取とり出だす。

  Sift through a large amount of data and extract only the necessary information.