来龙去脉

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: lái lóng qù mài
• English Translation: The ins and outs (the whole sequence of events)
• Idiom Composition: 「来」（To come; here referring to the origin or starting point of a sequence.）＋「龙」（Dragon; in Feng Shui, it represents the undulating ridges of a mountain range.）＋「去」（To go; here referring to the destination or the end result.）＋「脉」（Pulse or vein; refers to the continuous thread or logical connection between the start and the end.）
• Meaning: The detailed history or sequence of events from beginning to end; the full story or background of a situation. Originally a Feng Shui term describing the flow of mountain ranges, it now refers to the logical connection and causal relationship of an event.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「来龙去脉」 contains the following nuances:

• Grasping the Full Picture: It refers to the entire flow of events, including both the 'cause' (why it happened) and the 'result' (what happened), rather than just an isolated outcome.
• Derivation from Feng Shui: The term likens the rise and fall of mountain ranges to the body of a dragon. It implies that just as a mountain range has a traceable path, every event has a logical 'thread' or 'vein' (脉 - mài) that can be followed.

3. Usage

「来龙去脉」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Explanation and Reporting: Used when explaining complex circumstances to others or providing an investigative report. It is typically used with verbs like 弄清 (nòng qīng - to clarify) or 搞清楚 (gǎo qīng chu - to make clear).
  • Example:「请你把这件事情的来龙去脉详细地告诉我。」
    （Please tell me the ins and outs of this matter in detail.）
• Investigation and Analysis: Used in contexts where one is digging deep into the background of a problem or a legal case.
  • Example:「警方正在调查这起案件的来龙去脉。」
    （The police are currently investigating the full sequence of events of this case.）

Additional Examples:

1. 如果不了解事情的来龙去脉，就不要轻易下结论。
   （If you don't understand the ins and outs of the situation, you shouldn't jump to conclusions.）
2. 这篇文章详细分析了金融危机的来龙去脉。
   （This article provides a detailed analysis of the origin and development of the financial crisis.）
3. 只有弄清了来龙去脉，我们才能找到解决问题的办法。
   （Only after we clarify the whole story can we find a way to solve the problem.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Feng Shui Origins: Originally a term from Feng Shui (堪舆 - kānyú). 来龙 (lái lóng) referred to where the mountain range originated (the 'ancestor mountain'), and 去脉 (qù mài) referred to where the branches of the range extended. This was used to judge the flow of energy (气 - qì) and the auspiciousness of a location.
• Semantic Expansion: In modern usage, the superstitious connotations have faded. It has become a standard expression for logical 'causality' or the 'process' of an event.
• Frequency of Use: This is a high-frequency idiom used across daily conversation, news reporting, and business contexts to demand or provide a comprehensive explanation.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 前因后果 (qián yīn hòu guǒ): The cause and effect; the entire history of an affair.link
  • 原原本本 (yuán yuán běn běn): From beginning to end; in full detail.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 断章取义 (duàn zhāng qǔ yì): To take a quote out of context; to interpret a part of something while ignoring the whole.link
  • 没头没脑 (méi tóu méi nǎo): Without rhyme or reason; completely random or lacking context.
  • 无缘无故 (wú yuán wú gù): Without any cause or reason.link
  • 莫名其妙 (mò míng qí miào): Something is baffling or inexplicable.link

6. Summary

来龙去脉 (lái lóng qù mài) is an idiom used to describe the 'ins and outs' or the 'full story' of a situation. Derived from Feng Shui terminology regarding mountain ranges, it is now commonly used in modern Chinese to explain the background, context, and causal links of an incident or problem. It is often paired with verbs like 弄清 (nòng qīng - to clarify) or 调查 (diào chá - to investigate).