clues
clues — 名詞
1. small pieces of information, signs, or objects that point a person toward solvin
線索；提示
幫助找出答案或破案的小資訊
small pieces of information, signs, or objects that point a person toward solving a puzzle, a mystery, or a problem they want to understand
Detective Sven studied the muddy footprints for clues to the burglar's escape route.
Sven 警探仔細研究那些泥腳印，想找出小偷逃跑路線的線索。
collocation: clues to + noun (the unknown)
Anjali read the riddle three times, hoping to spot clues hidden inside the wording.
Anjali 把那道謎題讀了三遍，希望能在字句中發現隱藏的提示。
clues hidden in something (location of evidence)
The teacher gave the children small clues so they could guess the secret animal.
老師給孩子們一些小提示，讓他們猜出那個祕密動物。
No fingerprints, no torn fabric, no notes — there were simply no clues at the scene.
現場沒有指紋、沒有撕裂的布料、也沒有紙條——完全沒有任何線索。
Iris collected clues from each chapter and finally guessed who the killer was.
Iris 從每一章蒐集線索，最後猜出了兇手是誰。
- hints
softer, often deliberately given by someone to help
- leads
specifically points investigators in a direction; used in crime contexts
- signs
more general; can also mean indications of a future event
- indications
more formal; observed evidence that something is true
文法句型
clues to + noun
clues about + noun
leave/give/find clues
用法筆記
Frequently plural in real use ('clues' shows up far more than the bare singular 'clue'); the singular appears mainly in fixed phrases like 'a clue' or 'one clue'. Object of verbs like 'find', 'leave', 'follow', 'piece together'.
常見錯誤
clues — 動詞
1. to invent the short hints that go with a crossword, a treasure hunt, or another
編謎題提示
為填字遊戲或解謎活動寫出題目提示
to invent the short hints that go with a crossword, a treasure hunt, or another guessing game so that players can work out each answer
Lucas spent the weekend clueing a Saturday crossword for the school newspaper.
Lucas 花了整個週末為校刊編星期六的填字遊戲提示。
transitive: clue + a crossword (the puzzle being prepared)
The treasure hunt was clued by Aunt Defne, who hid riddles in every room.
這場尋寶活動的謎題是 Defne 阿姨設計的，她在每個房間都藏了謎語。
passive: be clued by someone
Stefan loves clueing word puzzles for his grandchildren during the long winter holidays.
Stefan 很喜歡在漫長的冬假期間為孫子們編文字遊戲的提示。
It can take a whole day to clue a hard crossword carefully.
仔細為一份難度高的填字遊戲編好所有提示，可能要花上一整天。
- set (a puzzle)
more common umbrella term in British crossword culture
- compose (a puzzle)
neutral, slightly more formal
文法句型
clue + noun
be clued by someone
用法筆記
Specialist usage from puzzle-making communities (crossword setters call themselves 'cluers'). Object is almost always the puzzle itself ('crossword', 'quiz', 'treasure hunt'), not the answer. Distinguish from sense 2 below, which is about giving a person information.
常見錯誤
2. to share useful facts with another person so that they finally understand a situ
告知；說明
把對方原本不知道的情況講清楚
to share useful facts with another person so that they finally understand a situation they did not know about before
Could someone please clue Joon in on what happened during last night's meeting?
誰可以幫忙告訴 Joon 昨晚會議上發生了什麼事？
phrasal pattern: clue someone in on something
Sana clued her flatmates in about the new rota for cleaning the kitchen.
Sana 把廚房清潔新輪值表的事告訴了她的室友們。
informal register: clue + person + in + about
Antonia, please clue me up about the changes to the wedding plans this weekend.
Antonia，這個週末請跟我說明一下婚禮計畫有哪些變動。
The coach took five minutes to clue the new players in on the team's basic signals.
教練花了五分鐘向新球員們說明球隊的基本暗號。
Once Yael clued her parents in about the surprise party, they kept the secret beautifully.
Yael 一告訴爸媽驚喜派對的事，他們就把這個祕密守得很好。
- fill (someone) in
very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech
- brief
more formal; often used in work or military contexts
- update
neutral; emphasises bringing knowledge up to current state
- keep (someone) in the dark
deliberately withhold information
文法句型
clue someone in (on something)
clue someone up (about something)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always takes a PERSON as the direct object plus an obligatory particle ('in' or 'up'). Sense 1 takes a PUZZLE as the object with no particle. Strongly informal — avoid in formal writing.