expression, godan verb (-su)
peer into the darkness; strain to see in the dark
A set phrase meaning to try to see something in the dark, often with a sense of effort or uncertainty. Used literally or figuratively.
彼は闇を透かして、遠くの灯りを見つけようとした。
He peered into the darkness, trying to spot a distant light.
闇を透かすように
Straining to see in the dark, I tried to identify the faint sound.