追根寻底 get to the bottom of
Explanation
追究事情的根底，彻底弄明白。
To investigate the root of a matter thoroughly and to understand it completely.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，长安城里有个著名的算命先生，名叫张半仙。他算卦的本事非常高明，许多达官贵人、富商巨贾都慕名前来求卦。 一天，一位年轻的书生来到张半仙的卦摊前，焦急地问：“张先生，我最近运气不好，屡屡失利，请问是什么原因？” 张半仙捋着胡须，眯着眼睛，仔细端详着书生的面相，然后缓缓说道：“你最近的霉运，并非偶然，而是你过去所做之事造成的恶果。你必须追根寻底，找到问题的根源，才能扭转乾坤。” 书生不解，追问道：“张先生，请问我过去做过什么错事，竟导致如此厄运？” 张半仙微微一笑，说道：“这与你多年前的一件事情有关。你那时年轻气盛，为了争夺一块小小的田地，与邻里发生争执，甚至出手伤人。此事你表面上虽然和解了，但你的内心深处却一直耿耿于怀，这股怨气积聚在你的心中，最终影响了你的运气。 书生听后，大吃一惊，回忆起多年前的那件事，内心充满了悔恨。他立刻向张半仙表示感谢，并决定主动向当年的邻居道歉，化解恩怨。 从此之后，书生处处谨慎小心，待人接物和善谦恭，运气也逐渐好转起来。张半仙的话，让他明白了：有些事情，即使表面上已经过去，但如果不去追根寻底，彻底解决问题，它就会像一颗定时炸弹，随时可能引发灾难。 张半仙的故事，也告诫我们，做人做事要光明磊落，坦坦荡荡，凡事要追根寻底，才能找到问题的真正答案，并获得长久的幸福和快乐。
It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, there was a famous fortune teller in Chang'an City named Zhang Banxian. His fortune-telling skills were very superb, and many high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and tycoons came to seek his fortune. One day, a young scholar came to Zhang Banxian's fortune-telling stall and anxiously asked, “Mr. Zhang, I've been unlucky lately and have repeatedly failed. What is the reason?” Zhang Banxian stroked his beard, narrowed his eyes, carefully examined the scholar's face, and then slowly said, “Your recent bad luck is not accidental, but the result of what you did in the past. You must investigate the root cause to turn the tide.” The scholar was puzzled and asked, “Mr. Zhang, what did I do wrong in the past to cause such misfortune?” Zhang Banxian smiled slightly and said, “It's related to something you did many years ago. When you were young and energetic, you quarreled with your neighbors over a small piece of land, even hurting people. Although you seemed to reconcile on the surface, you've been resentful deep down. This resentment has accumulated in your heart, affecting your luck. After hearing this, the scholar was shocked and recalled that incident many years ago, filled with remorse. He immediately thanked Zhang Banxian and decided to apologize to the neighbor, resolving the grudge. From then on, the scholar was cautious and kind, and his luck gradually improved. Zhang Banxian's words made him understand that even if something seems to be over on the surface, if you don't investigate it thoroughly and solve the problem, it will be like a time bomb, ready to explode at any time. Zhang Banxian's story also warns us that we should be open and honest in our actions, and that we should investigate everything thoroughly in order to find the real answer to the problem and achieve lasting happiness.
Usage
用于形容对事情进行彻底的调查和追究。
Used to describe a thorough investigation and pursuit of a matter.
Examples
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警方对这起案件追根寻底，最终找到了真凶。
jǐngfāng duì zhè qǐ ànjiàn zhuīgēn xúndǐ, zuìzhōng zhǎodào le zhēnxīng
The police investigated the case thoroughly and finally found the real culprit.
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为了弄清事情的真相，记者追根寻底地采访了很多人。
wèile nòng qīng shìqíng de zhēnxiàng, jìzhě zhuīgēn xúndǐ de cǎifǎng le hěn duō rén
To find out the truth, the reporter interviewed many people extensively.
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历史学家们花费了数年时间，追根寻底地研究古代文明。
lìshǐxuéjiā men huāfèile shǔnián shíjiān, zhuīgēn xúndǐ de yánjiū gǔdài wénmíng
Historians have spent several years thoroughly researching ancient civilizations.