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Hot on the Trail

What Does "Hot on the Trail" Mean?

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"Hot on the trail" is an English idiom. It means "actively pursuing or following clues or information to find or discover something."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "hot on the trail" used in a sentence:
  • The journalists were hot on the trail of the celebrity's secret wedding.
  • Detectives were hot on the trail of the missing painting.
  • They were hot on the trail of the treasure hidden in the jungle.
meaning for hot on the trail

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Hot on the Trail" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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