- English translation
Follow the rope, and it will bring you to the peg it is tied to.
- Literal wording
Hold on to the rope; it will lead you to the stake.
- Meaning and lesson
To find something hidden or distant, begin with a clue that is visibly connected to it. Tracing that connection can guide you step by step to the thing you seek.
The saying recommends practical inference rather than random searching. A small, accessible lead may reveal the location or explanation of a larger matter when its links are followed carefully.
- When it is used
Use it when advising someone to pursue a relevant clue, contact, or associated detail in order to locate the main person, object, or answer. It suits situations where the direct route is unclear but an indirect connection is available.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Follow the rope, and it will bring you to the peg it is tied to.