Definition
蛛丝马迹 is a chengyu meaning 'clues, traces' – literally 'spider's thread and horse's tracks'. It refers to small but revealing indications that lead to the truth, whether in detective work, problem-solving, or understanding the hidden structure of a piece of writing or argument. The idiom is often used with 根据 (according to) or 发现 (discover).
id.
small but revealing clues or tracessubtle or hidden structural indications (in writing, arguments, etc.)
Examples
- 蛛丝马迹。Jǐngchá gēnjù zhèxiē zhū sī mǎ jì zhǎodào le shīzōng de háizi.The police found the missing child based on these clues.
- 蛛丝马迹，。Zhè piān xiǎoshuō lǐ chōngmǎn le zhū sī mǎ jì, ànshì zhe gùshì de zhēnzhèng jiéjú.This novel is full of subtle clues that hint at the story's true ending.
- 蛛丝马迹，。Cóng xiànchǎng de zhū sī mǎ jì lái kàn, zuìfàn shì cóng chuānghù jìnlái de.Judging from the traces at the scene, the criminal entered through the window.
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