Definition
顺藤摸瓜 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'follow the vine to feel the melon' — just as you trace a vine back to find the melon, you follow clues to find the source of a problem or to track down a person. It is commonly used in detective work, investigations, or any situation where you piece together evidence step by step.
f.e.
to track down someone or something by following cluesto investigate by following a lead
Examples
- 顺藤摸瓜，。Jǐngchá tōngguò jiānkòng lùxiàng shùn téng mō guā, zuìzhōng zhuā zhù le xiǎotōu.The police followed clues from surveillance footage and eventually caught the thief.
- 顺藤摸瓜，。Jìzhě shùn téng mō guā, fāxiàn le zhè jiā gōngsī bèihòu de fēifǎ jiāoyì.The journalist followed the clues and uncovered the illegal transactions behind this company.
- 顺藤摸瓜，。Rúguǒ nǐ shùn téng mō guā, jiù néng zhǎodào wèntí de gēnyuán.If you follow the clues, you can find the root of the problem.
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