顺藤摸瓜

順藤摸瓜

shùnténgmōguā

idiom #23,194

Meanings

1 to follow the vine to find the melon
2 to track something by following leads
3 to trace back to the source

Characters

to follow; along

to feel for; to grope; to trace

Examples

警察顺藤摸瓜，终于找到了幕后主谋。

Jǐngchá shùn téng mō guā, zhōngyú zhǎodào le mùhòu zhǔmóu.

The police followed the leads and finally found the mastermind behind the scenes.

调查人员顺藤摸瓜，揭露了整个腐败网络。

Diàochá rényuán shùn téng mō guā, jiēlù le zhěnggè fǔbài wǎngluò.

Investigators followed the trail and exposed the entire corruption network.

Tips

memory

Picture a farmer looking for melons (瓜) in a dense patch: instead of searching randomly, he follows the vine (藤) from a visible point — the vine leads straight to the fruit. Perfect image for methodical detective work.

Stroke Order

顺 shùn

藤 téng

摸 mō

瓜 guā