顺藤摸瓜

順藤摸瓜

shùnténg-mōguā

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

HSK 7-9

警察顺藤摸瓜，终于找到了幕后主谋。

Jǐngchá shùnténg-mōguā, zhōngyú zhǎodào le mùhòu zhǔmóu.

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

HSK 7-9

调查人员顺藤摸瓜，揭露了整个腐败网络。

Diàochá rényuán shùnténg-mōguā, 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