顺藤摸瓜

shùnténgmōguā

顺藤摸瓜 — shùnténgmōguā

1. to trace something back to its source by following clues; to follow the vine to get to the melon (lit.)

   警察顺藤摸瓜，终于抓到了主犯。 jǐngchá shùnténgmōguā zhōngyú zhuādào le zhǔfàn — The police followed the clues and finally caught the ringleader.