順藤摸瓜 shùn téng mō guā

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to follow the vine to get to the melon
  2. to track sth following clues

CHARACTERS

順 shùn obey, submit to, go along with
藤 téng rattan, cane; creeper plant
摸 mō
HSK 5
gently touch with hand; caress
瓜 guā
HSK 2
melon, gourd, cucumber; rad. 97