deduce the whole from small signs; spot the trend early
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to know autumn is coming from a falling leaf; to deduce the whole trend from small signs
literaryA metaphorical expression originating from classical Chinese literature (《淮南子·说山训》), expressing the ability to infer the general trend from subtle signs or early clues.
Zhì智
zhě者
wǎng往
wǎng往
néng能
gòu够
yī一
yè叶
zhī知
qiū秋
，
tí提
qián前
bù布
jú局
。
Wise people can often spot the trend early and prepare in advance.
Cóng从
xiāo消
fèi费
zhě者
xíng行
wéi为
de的
xì细
wēi微
biàn变
huà化
zhōng中
，
qǐ企
yè业
jiā家
kě可
yǐ以
yī一
yè叶
zhī知
qiū秋
，
yù预
pàn判
shì市
chǎng场
zǒu走
xiàng向
。
From subtle changes in consumer behavior, entrepreneurs can deduce the overall trend and predict market directions.
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Suī虽
rán然
guān官
fāng方
shù数
jù据
shàng尚
wèi未
gōng公
bù布
，
dàn但
jīng经
jì济
xué学
jiā家
yǐ已
cóng从
chǎn产
yè业
liàn链
de的
bō波
dòng动
zhōng中
yī一
yè叶
zhī知
qiū秋
。
Although official data has not yet been released, economists have already inferred the trend from fluctuations in the industrial chain.