On the trail of Meaning in English
expression
ON thuh TRAYL uhv
on thuh TRAYL ov
Definition
To be searching for or trying to find someone or something by following signs, clues, or information about them.
Usage & Nuances
This is often used in detective or adventure contexts, but can be applied to any situation where someone follows clues. It is a neutral, sometimes slightly dramatic phrase. Commonly paired with searching for criminals, animals, or mysteries.
Spanish: tras la pista dePortuguese (BR): no encalço de - atrás dePortuguese (PT): no encalço de - atrás deChinese (Simplified): 追踪...的踪迹Chinese (Traditional): 追蹤...的蹤跡Hindi: की तलाश मेंArabic: تتبع أثرBengali: সূত্র ধরে অনুসন্ধানে - খোঁজ করছেRussian: по следу - на следуJapanese: 手がかりを追って - 捜索中Vietnamese: lần theo dấu vết - truy tìmKorean: 흔적을 쫓고 있는 - 단서를 따라가는Turkish: izinde - peşindeUrdu: سراغ میں - کھوج میںIndonesian: mengikuti jejak - menelusuri jejak
Example Sentences
The police are on the trail of the thief.
basic
Scientists are on the trail of a new medicine.
basic
The kids are on the trail of their lost puppy.
basic
We're finally on the trail of who hacked our system.
natural
After hours of searching, they were on the trail of the missing hiker.
natural
Reporters are on the trail of a big story about corruption.
natural