Chase down a lead 🏃💨🪢

Meaning

To diligently investigate and follow up on a clue or piece of information to find something or someone.

Origin

Imagine a detective in a smoky, noir film, hunched over a crumpled piece of paper bearing a single name. That's the essence of 'chasing down a lead.' The phrase conjures the image of relentless pursuit, not of a person, but of information. A 'lead' is a hint or clue, a thread to pull. To 'chase it down' is to actively and persistently follow that thread, whether it's tracking phone numbers, interviewing witnesses, or digging through archives, all in the hope of uncovering the truth or finding what you're looking for. It’s the very engine of investigation, transforming a small breadcrumb into a full confession or a missing person’s location.

🗣️ communication 🔒 secrets ☠️ risk 🏆 success

Chase down a lead represented with emoji🏃💨🪢

This playful sequence functions as a delightful visual riddle, inviting us to consider the energetic pursuit of a tiny, yet significant, clue. It's not just about the chase, but the thrill of the discovery that lies just ahead, a fleeting moment captured in the vibrant dash of an emoji sprinter.

Examples

  • The detective had to chase down a lead that took him to a different city.
  • She spent all day trying to chase down a lead about the missing cat.
  • We're chasing down a lead that suggests the treasure is hidden inside a giant teacup.
  • The journalist decided to chase down a lead about a talking squirrel who knows all the town secrets.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'chase down a lead' a metaphor or a literal instruction?

'Chase down a lead' is primarily a metaphor, even though it can involve literal actions. It describes the intense effort to follow a clue, rather than physically pursuing a person.

What's the opposite of 'chase down a lead'?

The opposite of 'chase down a lead' could be 'ignore a clue' or 'let a lead go cold', which means to abandon an investigation or fail to follow up on information.

Can 'chase down a lead' be used in non-criminal contexts?

Yes, 'chase down a lead' is commonly used in business, sales, journalism, and any field where people need to investigate information to achieve a goal.

Is 'chase down a lead' considered slang?

While evocative, 'chase down a lead' is not typically considered slang; it's a common idiom understood across many contexts, from detective work to marketing.

Similar to "chase down a lead"

Follow up on a hunch
Both involve pursuing a thread of suspicion or possibility, but 'follow up on a hunch' leans into intuition and gut feeling, whereas 'chase down a lead' suggests a more concrete, documented clue
Dig into the details
Both explore information assiduously, but 'dig into the details' implies a deep dive into existing information, while 'chase down a lead' often means going out to uncover new pieces of the puzzle
Scour the streets
Both phrases describe an active, determined search for something or someone, but 'scour the streets' paints a picture of a physical, often urgent, investigation in a public space, adding a layer of grit

Opposite of "chase down a lead"

Let sleeping dogs lie
This argues for leaving a potential problem or investigation undisturbed, suggesting that digging into a lead might only stir up trouble better left alone
Throw in the towel
This wholeheartedly embraces giving up, directly opposing the relentless persistence inherent in 'chase down a lead' and advocating for surrender rather than continued effort
Stand pat
This advises sticking to one's current position or information without further investigation, a stark contrast to the active pursuit of new clues implied by chasing a lead

Related to "chase down a lead"

Gather intelligence
This phrase shares the goal of accumulating knowledge, but 'gather intelligence' often implies a more formal, strategic, and potentially clandestine context than the direct pursuit of a single lead
Connect the dots
This springs from the successful conclusion of chasing leads, as it describes the act of discerning the pattern or narrative once sufficient information has been assembled
Follow the money
This is a specific, tactical variation of chasing a lead, focusing on financial trails as the most promising path to uncovering truth or misdeeds
Stakeout
This is a method that might be employed *after* chasing down a lead, representing a patient waiting game that stems from a developed understanding of where the target might be found