trace to the source; follow clues to find root cause
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to follow the vine to get the melon; to track down something or somebody by following clues; to investigate thoroughly
neutralCommonly used in the context of criminal investigations, journalism, or research to describe the methodical process of uncovering hidden truths by following existing leads.
Gōng公
ān安
rén人
yuán员
shùn顺
téng藤
mō摸
guā瓜
，
zhōng终
yú于
zhǎo找
dào到
le了
fàn犯
zuì罪
tuán团
huǒ伙
de的
lǎo老
cháo巢
。
The police followed the clues and finally found the criminal gang's hideout.
Jì记
zhě者
shùn顺
téng藤
mō摸
guā瓜
，
jiē揭
lù露
le了
zhè这
qǐ起
chǒu丑
wén闻
bèi背
hòu后
de的
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
The journalist followed the trail and exposed the truth behind the scandal.
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Zhǐ只
yào要
nǐ你
shùn顺
téng藤
mō摸
guā瓜
，
yī一
dìng定
néng能
zhǎo找
chū出
wèn问
tí题
de的
gēn根
yuán源
。
As long as you follow the clues, you will certainly find the root of the problem.