顺藤摸瓜(順藤摸瓜)

Pronunciation: shùn téng mō guā Literal meaning: Follow vine find melon

Origin & Usage

Rooted in agricultural wisdom, this idiom describes following (顺) a vine (藤) to find (摸) its melons (瓜). It gained prominence in Song Dynasty detective stories and practical farming guides, where understanding plant patterns helped locate harvest-ready melons hidden under foliage. The metaphor captured the essence of methodical investigation - following visible trails to discover hidden connections. Modern usage spans various fields, from criminal investigations to market research, describing any process where careful tracking of evident clues leads to concealed answers.

When to Use

Situation: The detective traced the evidence methodically to find the truth

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