来龙去脉 láilóng-qùmài literally the rise and fall of the terrain
literally the rise and fall of the terrain (idiom); figuratively the whole sequence of events; causes and effects
How to remember 来龙去脉: 来 come + 龙 dragon + 去 go + 脉 a pulse = literally the rise and fall of the terrain.
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How it is used
- Idiom 'the whole sequence of events, ins and outs' - 弄清来龙去脉 (nòngqīng láilóng qùmài) to get the full story.
- Originally a feng-shui term for the flow of a mountain range; now the full cause-and-effect of a matter.
- Used when you want the complete background and progression of an event.