clue 1 S2 / klu / 名词 [可数名词]

1 an 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 clues

2 information that helps you understand the reasons why something happens

clue to/about/as to

Childhood experiences may provide a clue as to why some adults develop eating disorders.

3 a 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.

4 not have a clue (where/why/how etc) informal

a) 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.

not have a clue (where/why/how etc) about

No point asking Jill – she hasn’t got a clue about maths.

COLLOCATIONS

动词

provide 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.

形容词

an 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.

短语

a search for clues She opened every drawer in her desperate search for clues.