📖 Meaning
To discover the tracks of prey and direct the hounds to chase. It metaphorically means to scheme and direct operations from behind the scenes, manipulating others to carry out one's plans.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记), written by Sima Qian of the Western Han dynasty. In a passage praising Xiao He, the first chancellor of the Han dynasty, the text compares governance to hunting: while the hunting dogs chase and kill the prey, it is the hunter who spots the animal's tracks and points the dogs in the right direction. This analogy highlights how a wise strategist identifies opportunities and directs subordinates to act, rather than doing the labor personally.
💡 Example Usage
这次行动全靠他在背后发踪指示，众人才能顺利拿下目标。
The success of this operation in capturing the target relied entirely on him directing things from behind the scenes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 发踪指示
- Pinyin: fā zōng zhǐ shì
- Literal Translation: 发, 踪, 指, 示
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4