trace to the source; get to the root of
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to trace back to the source; to investigate the origin; to get to the root of the matter
formalEmphasizes thoroughly investigating the origin or root cause of something. Often used in academic, historical, or analytical contexts. Also written as 追本穷源.
Yán研
jiū究
lì历
shǐ史
yào要
zhuī追
běn本
sù溯
yuán源
，
cái才
néng能
dé得
chū出
zhèng正
què确
jié结
lùn论
。
To study history, one must trace back to the source in order to reach correct conclusions.
Wèi为
le了
jiě解
jué决
zhè这
gè个
wèn问
tí题
，
wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
zhuī追
běn本
sù溯
yuán源
，
zhǎo找
chū出
gēn根
běn本
yuán原
yīn因
。
To solve this problem, we must get to the root of the matter and identify the fundamental cause.
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Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
zhuī追
běn本
sù溯
yuán源
，
xiáng详
xì细
de地
jiè介
shào绍
le了
zhè这
yī一
xí习
sú俗
de的
qǐ起
yuán源
。
This article traces back to the source, detailing the origin of this custom.
Kē科
xué学
jiā家
zhuī追
běn本
sù溯
yuán源
，
zhōng终
yú于
fā发
xiàn现
le了
zhè这
zhǒng种
bìng病
dú毒
de的
lái来
yuán源
。
Scientists traced back to the source and finally discovered the origin of this virus.