[N-COUNT 可数名词]线索;提示 A clue to a problem or mystery is something that helps you to find the answer to it.
[oft N to n]
Geneticists in Canada have discovered a clue to the puzzle of why our cells get old and die...
加拿大的遗传学家已经发现了解开细胞衰老、死亡之谜的线索。
How a man shaves may be a telling clue to his age.
男人刮胡子的方式也许能泄露其年龄。
2
[N-COUNT 可数名词](破案)线索 A clue is an object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime.
[oft N to n]
The vital clue to the killer's identity was his nickname, Peanuts.
查明杀手身份的重要线索是他的外号叫“花生”。
3
[N-COUNT 可数名词](纵横填字游戏的)提示语,解答提示 A clue in a crossword or game is information which is given to help you to find the answer to a question.
4
[PHRASE 短语]不知道;一无所知 If you haven't a clue about something, you do not know anything about it or you have no idea what to do about it.
[usu PHR wh]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
I haven't a clue what I'll give Carl for his birthday next year.
我不知道明年卡尔过生日我该送什么。
Oxford
clue/kluː; NAmEkluː/
noun
,
verb
cluecluescluedclueingnoun1clue(to sth) an object, a piece of evidence or some information that helps the police solve a crime (帮助警方破案的)线索,迹象◆The police think the videotape may hold some vital clues to the identity of the killer.警方认为那盘录像带可能录有能确认凶手身分的一些重要线索。2clue(to sth) a fact or a piece of evidence that helps you discover the answer to a problem (问题答案的)线索,提示◆Diet may hold the clue to the causes of migraine.从饮食习惯有可能找出偏头痛的原因。3some words or a piece of information that helps you find the answers to a crossword,a game or a question (纵横填字谜、游戏或问题的)提示词语,解答提示◆‘You'll never guess who I saw today!’ ‘Give me a clue.’“你绝对猜不着我今天见到谁了!”“给我提示一下吧。”IDIOMnot have a ˈclue( informal) 1to know nothing about sth or about how to do sth 一无所知;不知怎么做◆I don't have a clue where she lives.我完全不知道她住在哪里。2( disapproving) to be very stupid 很愚蠢;很笨拙◆Don't ask him to do it—he doesn't have a clue!这事别叫他做,他笨极了。verbPHRASAL VERBˌclue sb ˈin (on sth)( informal) to give sb the most recent information about sth 给(某人)提供最新信息◆He's just clued me in on the latest developments.他刚给我提供了最新的进展情况。clue/kluː; NAmEkluː/
LDC
clue1 noun
clue2 verb
clueclue1 /kluː/ ●●●S2 noun [countable]
Word Origin
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1an object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime or mystery: Police have found a vital clue.clue to/about/as to We now have an important clue as to the time of the murder. Archaeological evidence will provide clues about what the building was used for.clue in This information is a valuable clue in our hunt for the bombers. a desperate search for clues2information that helps you understand the reasons why something happensclue to/about/as to Childhood experiences may provide a clue as to why some adults develop eating disorders.3a piece of information that helps you solve a crossword puzzle, answer a question etc: I’ll give you a clue, Kevin, it’s a kind of bird.4not have a clue (where/why/how etc) informala)to not have any idea about the answer to a question, how to do something, what a situation is etc: ‘Do you know how to switch this thing off?’ ‘I haven’t a clue.’ Until I arrived here, I hadn’t got a clue what I was going to say to her.b)to be very stupid, or very bad at a particular activity: Don’t let Mike cook you dinner; he hasn’t got a clue. I haven’t a clue how to talk to girls.clue about No point asking Jill – she hasn’t got a clue about maths.COLLOCATIONSverbsprovide a clue· Any 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 clue· The bombers may have left behind vital clues.search (something) for clues· Detectives are still searching the house for clues.look for/hunt for clues· Investigators descended on the crime scene hunting for clues.find a clue· No one had found any clues as to where the missing girl could be.adjectivesan important/useful/valuable clue· The 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 clues· She opened every drawer in her desperate search for clues.
clue1 noun
clue2 verb
clueclue2 verb
Verb Table
Examples
clue in phrasal verb informalto give someone information about somethingclue in on/about Somebody must have clued him in on our sales strategy.
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