clue1 /kluː/ ●●● S2 noun [countableC] 1 SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEMan object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime or mystery 〔帮助破案或解开谜团的〕线索,提示 Police have found a vital clue. 警方发现了至关重要的线索。
clue to/about/as to We now have an important clue as to the time of the murder. 我们现在掌握了有关这宗谋杀案发生时间的重要线索。
Archaeological evidence will provide clues about what the building was used for. 考古证据将为这幢建筑的用途提供线索。
clue in This information is a valuable clue in our hunt for the bombers. 这一信息是我们追捕放置炸弹者极有用的线索。
a desperate search for clues 拼命寻找线索
2 REASONinformation that helps you understand the reasons why something happens 〔有助于弄清事情缘由的〕线索clue to/about/as to Childhood experiences may provide a clue as to why some adults develop eating disorders. 关于为什么有些成年人会出现饮食失调,童年时期的经历也许可以提供线索。
3 SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEMa piece of information that helps you solve a crossword puzzle, answer a question etc 〔解开纵横填字谜、回答问题等的〕提示 I’ll give you a clue, Kevin, it’s a kind of bird. 我给你个提示吧,凯文,那是一种鸟。
4 not have a clue (where/why/how etc) informal a) NOT KNOWto not have any idea about the answer to a question, how to do something, what a situation is etc (对于在哪里/为什么/如何等)一无所知,毫无头绪 ‘Do you know how to switch this thing off?’ ‘I haven’t a clue.’ “你知道怎么关上这个吗?”“我不知道。”
Until I arrived here, I hadn’t got a clue what I was going to say to her. 在我到达这里之前,我完全不知道要跟她说什么。
b) BAD ATto be very stupid, or very bad at a particular activity 〔做起某种事来〕很愚蠢;很笨拙 Don’t let Mike cook you dinner; he hasn’t got a clue. 别让迈克给你做饭,他笨得很。
I haven’t a clue how to talk to girls. 我和女孩子讲起话来笨嘴拙舌的。
not have a clue (where/why/how etc) about No point asking Jill – she hasn’t got a clue about maths. 问吉尔没有用,她对数学一窍不通。
not have a clue (where/why/how etc)• After nine years of marriage to her I did not have a clue myself. n COLLOCATIONSverbsprovide a clueAny information could provide the police with useful clues.
hold a clue (also yield a clue formal) (=provide one)The poem itself holds a clue about who it was written for.
leave a clueThe bombers may have left behind vital clues.
search (something) for cluesDetectives are still searching the house for clues.
look for/hunt for cluesInvestigators descended on the crime scene hunting for clues.
find a clueNo one had found any clues as to where the missing girl could be.
adjectivesan important/useful/valuable clueThe car used in the robbery may provide important clues.
a vital clue (=very important)A videotape could hold vital clues to the criminal’s identity.
a further clue (=an additional clue)They searched the surrounding area for further clues.
phrasesa search for cluesShe opened every drawer in her desperate search for clues.
clue to/about/as to• His eyes are searching the inside of the car for a clue as to what could have happened.• Instead, she studied the Fannings intently for clues as to their mysterious behavior.• It gives no clues as to the social context of art works.• Which meant I had no clue as to his present appearance.• I had no clue as to where I was anymore.• The package offered no clue as to the identity of the sender.• Sometimes at night Wojciech howls to the wolves and their answers provide clues as to their whereabouts and numbers.• He searched his mind for some clue as to why he should know Jacob Valentine.