抽丝剥茧 to unravel a silk cocoon
Explanation
比喻分析事物很细致，一步一步地进行。
It is used to describe the detailed and step-by-step analysis of things.
Origin Story
一位经验丰富的侦探接到一个棘手的案件：一桩价值连城的宝石失窃案。现场没有留下任何明显的线索，只有零星的碎片和模糊的目击证词。侦探没有气馁，他从最小的细节入手，如同抽丝剥茧一般，仔细研究每一块碎片，分析每一个目击证词。他先从碎片的材质、工艺入手，逐步确定宝石的来源和年代；接着，他根据目击证词的时间、地点、人物特征，一一排查，最终将嫌疑人锁定在一个狡猾的珠宝商身上。经过进一步调查，侦探最终找到了丢失的宝石，成功破获了这桩案件。整个过程，就像抽丝剥茧，一层一层地揭开真相，最终将迷雾拨开，还原了事情的真相。
An experienced detective received a thorny case: a theft of priceless gems. The scene left no obvious clues, only scattered fragments and vague eyewitness accounts. Undeterred, the detective started with the smallest details, meticulously examining each fragment and analyzing every witness statement, like unraveling a silk cocoon. He began by studying the material and craftsmanship of the fragments, gradually determining the gems' origin and age; then, he examined each eyewitness account by time, location, and personal characteristics, eventually narrowing down the suspect to a cunning jeweler. Through further investigation, the detective finally recovered the missing gems, successfully solving the case. The whole process was like peeling back the layers of an onion, revealing the truth piece by piece, until the mystery was solved.
Usage
形容分析事情细致、深入，逐步发现真相的过程。
Describes the process of meticulously and thoroughly analyzing a matter and gradually discovering the truth.
Examples
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侦探抽丝剥茧，终于找到了真凶。
zhentan chousībāojiǎn, zhōngyú zhǎodàole zhēnxiong
The detective painstakingly investigated the case, finally finding the real culprit.
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历史学家抽丝剥茧地分析史料，最终还原了历史真相。
lìshǐxuéjiā chōusībāojiǎn de fēnxī shǐliào, zuìzhōng huányuánle lìshǐ zhēnxiàng
The historian meticulously analyzed the historical materials and finally restored the truth of history.