15초 만에
- Means to find something after a hard search.
- Implies persistence and effort.
- Used for people, things, or information.
- Versatile, fits most everyday situations.
뜻
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주요 예문
3 / 11Texting a friend about a lost item
I can't find my favorite pen anywhere! I'll have to `track it down` later.
I can't find my favorite pen anywhere! I'll have to find it later.
Discussing a research project
We need to `track down` the original source material for this study.
We need to find the original source material for this study.
Instagram caption for a successful search
Finally `tracked down` this vintage jacket I've been wanting for ages! #ThriftFinds #VintageFashion
Finally found this vintage jacket I've been wanting for ages! #ThriftFinds #VintageFashion
문화적 배경
The phrase `track down` likely emerged from the literal act of tracking animals or people, a skill crucial for survival and hunting throughout history. As societies became more complex, the concept evolved to describe the persistent search for elusive items, information, or individuals in urban or modern settings. It taps into our innate human drive to pursue and find what is lost or hidden, a narrative present in countless myths and stories.
The 'Effort' Indicator
Think of `track down` as a signal that effort was involved. If finding something was easy, stick to 'find'. If it took detective work, `track down` is your phrase!
Don't Overdo It!
Using `track down` for trivial tasks sounds comical. Saying 'I tracked down the salt shaker' might get a chuckle, but it's usually not the right fit.
15초 만에
- Means to find something after a hard search.
- Implies persistence and effort.
- Used for people, things, or information.
- Versatile, fits most everyday situations.
What It Means
Track down is all about serious searching. You're on a mission to find something or someone that's not easy to locate. Think of it like following footprints in the mud – you're tracking something! It implies persistence and a bit of effort. You’re not just glancing around; you’re actively pursuing a lead. It's a common idiom for a thorough search that eventually pays off, hopefully! It's got a vibe of determination, almost like a quest.
How To Use It
Use track down when you've been searching for a while. It works for people, places, or even objects. For example, you might need to track down an old friend you lost touch with. Or maybe you're trying to track down a rare book for your collection. It's also great for finding information, like tracking down the source of a rumor. Just remember, it suggests a challenging search, not just a quick peek.
Formality & Register
This phrase is pretty versatile. You can use it in most everyday conversations without sounding too formal or too casual. It fits well when texting friends or discussing plans. It's also acceptable in many professional settings, especially if you're talking about research or investigation. Think of it as a friendly but capable term. It's not slang, but it's not stiff either. It's like the comfortable jeans of the English language – they go with almost everything!
Real-Life Examples
-
Situation: Texting a friend
Sentence: "Hey, I'm trying to track down that new coffee shop you mentioned. Any idea where it is?"
Translation: "I'm trying to find that new coffee shop you mentioned. Do you know where it is?"
Note: Shows a casual search for a location.
Mood: Casual
Focus: track down
-
Situation: Writing a professional email
Sentence: "We need to track down the original contract documents before the audit."
Translation: "We need to find the original contract documents before the audit."
Note: Implies a necessary but potentially difficult search in a work context.
Mood: Professional
Focus: track down
-
Situation: Social media comment
Sentence: "OMG, I finally tracked down that song from the TikTok! It's called 'Groovy Beat'."
Translation: "Oh my gosh, I finally found that song from TikTok! It's called 'Groovy Beat'."
Note: Highlights finding something elusive, common in online searches.
Mood: Casual
Focus: tracked down
-
Situation: Talking to a colleague
Sentence: "I spent all morning trying to track down the error in the code. Turns out it was a tiny typo!"
Translation: "I spent all morning trying to find the error in the code. It turned out to be a tiny typo!"
Note: Emphasizes the effort and difficulty in finding a specific issue.
Mood: Friendly
Focus: track down
When To Use It
Use track down when the search is the main point. You're emphasizing the effort involved. If you found something easily, you'd just say "found it." But if it took some digging, track down fits perfectly. It's great for stories about adventures or investigations. It adds a sense of accomplishment when you finally succeed. So, if you're hunting for a rare Pokémon card or an old school friend, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid track down for simple, everyday finds. If you misplaced your keys for five minutes and found them, you wouldn't say you tracked them down. That sounds a bit dramatic! Also, don't use it if the search wasn't difficult or time-consuming. It might sound like you're exaggerating your efforts. It's not for things you find instantly, like looking up a word on Google Translate. That’s too easy for track down!
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse track down with simply "find." While they're related, track down implies a more difficult search. Another mistake is using it for things that are readily available. You don't track down a loaf of bread at the supermarket; you just buy it. It’s like trying to solve a Rubik's cube when you just need to open a door – overkill!
- ✗ I need to track down my phone. → ✓ I need to find my phone. (If it's just misplaced nearby)
- ✗ We tracked down the best pizza place. → ✓ We found the best pizza place. (If it was a simple recommendation)
Common Variations
Track(verb): Sometimes, people just usetrackon its own, especially in sports or navigation contexts. "Can you track my package?" is similar. It focuses more on monitoring progress than the initial difficult search.Hunt down: This is very similar and often interchangeable. It can sometimes imply a more aggressive or urgent search. "I had to hunt down a specific ingredient for this recipe."Dig up: Often used for finding old information or buried secrets. "She dug up some dirt on the politician."Locate: This is a more neutral and often more formal term. "Please locate the nearest exit."
Real Conversations
-
Speaker
Dialogue
track down tickets for that concert for weeks! They sold out so fast."Speaker
Dialogue
track down a couple from a resale site, but they cost a fortune.-
Speaker
Dialogue
track down that old photo album? The one from our trip to the beach?"Speaker
Dialogue
tracking down, though!"Quick FAQ
- Is
track downalways about a long search?
Yes, it strongly implies that the search was difficult, time-consuming, or involved overcoming obstacles. It's not for finding something you misplaced for just a minute.
- Can I use
track downfor information?
Absolutely! You can track down the source of a quote, the author of a book, or the reason for a system error. It works well when information is hard to find.
- Is it formal or informal?
It's quite neutral, leaning slightly informal but perfectly acceptable in most professional contexts where a bit of effort is involved. It’s not stuffy, but it’s not slang either.
사용 참고사항
While versatile, `track down` implies a challenging search. Avoid using it for simple, immediate finds to prevent sounding overly dramatic or exaggerating your efforts. It fits best when persistence and effort were key to success.
The 'Effort' Indicator
Think of `track down` as a signal that effort was involved. If finding something was easy, stick to 'find'. If it took detective work, `track down` is your phrase!
Don't Overdo It!
Using `track down` for trivial tasks sounds comical. Saying 'I tracked down the salt shaker' might get a chuckle, but it's usually not the right fit.
Combine with Time
Often, `track down` pairs well with phrases indicating duration or difficulty, like 'spent hours trying to track down,' or 'finally managed to track down.'
The Hunter's Instinct
This phrase echoes historical human skills like hunting and tracking. It taps into a primal sense of pursuit and discovery that resonates deeply in storytelling and language.
예시
11I can't find my favorite pen anywhere! I'll have to `track it down` later.
I can't find my favorite pen anywhere! I'll have to find it later.
Implies the pen is not immediately visible and requires a dedicated search.
We need to `track down` the original source material for this study.
We need to find the original source material for this study.
Suggests the source material might be difficult to access or locate.
Finally `tracked down` this vintage jacket I've been wanting for ages! #ThriftFinds #VintageFashion
Finally found this vintage jacket I've been wanting for ages! #ThriftFinds #VintageFashion
Highlights the difficulty and triumph of finding a specific, sought-after item.
Could you help me `track down` the Q3 sales report? I can't seem to locate it.
Could you help me find the Q3 sales report? I can't seem to locate it.
Polite request implying the file is not easily accessible.
It took me months of searching online forums and flea markets to `track down` this rare comic book.
It took me months of searching online forums and flea markets to find this rare comic book.
Emphasizes the extended effort and multiple avenues explored.
✗ I need to track down my keys. → ✓ I need to find my keys.
✗ I need to track down my keys. → ✓ I need to find my keys.
Using `track down` for a simple misplacement sounds overly dramatic.
After years apart, she finally managed to `track down` her childhood best friend.
After years apart, she finally managed to find her childhood best friend.
Conveys the emotional weight and difficulty of finding someone after a long separation.
✗ I tracked down the nearest grocery store. → ✓ I found the nearest grocery store.
✗ I tracked down the nearest grocery store. → ✓ I found the nearest grocery store.
`Track down` is too intense for finding something easily accessible.
I'm trying to `track down` all the hidden collectibles in this level.
I'm trying to find all the hidden collectibles in this level.
Common in gaming for finding elusive items within a game world.
My pizza hasn't arrived yet; I need to `track down` the delivery driver.
My pizza hasn't arrived yet; I need to find the delivery driver.
Implies checking the app or calling to locate the driver.
I'm attempting to `track down` the status of my application.
I'm attempting to find the status of my application.
A polite, professional way to inquire about progress when information isn't readily available.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
You use `track down` when the search is expected to be difficult or time-consuming.
Choose the sentence that uses 'track down' correctly.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
The phrase `track down` implies a difficult or lengthy search, fitting for finding someone after a long time.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
`Track down` implies a difficult search. Finding a nearby coffee shop is usually straightforward.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
This context emphasizes the difficulty and persistence required to find someone who is hiding or hard to find.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
`Track down` suggests a prolonged or challenging search. A five-minute search is too short for this idiom.
Choose the sentence that uses 'track down' correctly.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
The phrase `track down` implies a difficult search, which fits finding a lost pet over several days.
Translate this sentence into English.
The French verb 'retrouver' in this context implies a search for something that isn't immediately available, making `track down` a suitable translation.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
This implies investigating the origin of something that might be hard to identify or locate.
Choose the sentence that uses 'track down' correctly.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Finding a whistleblower often involves a difficult, persistent search, making `track down` appropriate.
Translate this sentence into English.
The Spanish 'rastrear' directly relates to tracking, and in this context of finding the source of a problem, `track down` is the most fitting English idiom.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
While you might research restaurants, `track down` implies a more difficult search than simply choosing one for dinner.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
This implies a persistent and potentially challenging search for information or truth.
🎉 점수: /12
시각 학습 자료
Formality Spectrum for 'Track Down'
Too intense or dramatic for casual, easy finds.
✗ I tracked down my socks under the bed. ✓ I found my socks under the bed.
Common in everyday chats, texts, and social media.
Finally tracked down that song from the ad!
Fits most situations, including professional contexts where effort is implied.
We need to track down the original report.
Generally too informal for highly formal writing or speeches.
The investigation will track down all leads.
Where 'Track Down' Fits In
Finding lost pets
The owner tracked down her missing dog.
Locating old friends
He tracked down his college roommate online.
Research & Investigation
The journalist tracked down the anonymous source.
Finding rare items
She tracked down a vintage vinyl record.
Problem Solving
We need to track down the bug in the code.
Following leads
The detective tracked down several clues.
Comparing 'Track Down' with Similar Phrases
Usage Scenarios for 'Track Down'
Personal Searches
- • Finding lost items
- • Reconnecting with old friends
- • Searching for family history
Professional Tasks
- • Investigating issues
- • Finding source documents
- • Locating missing data
Information Gathering
- • Finding obscure facts
- • Tracing the origin of a rumor
- • Identifying an unknown source
Creative Pursuits
- • Finding rare collectibles
- • Searching for specific materials
- • Locating inspiration
연습 문제 은행
12 연습 문제I need to ___ ___ the missing file from the archive.
You use `track down` when the search is expected to be difficult or time-consuming.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
The phrase `track down` implies a difficult or lengthy search, fitting for finding someone after a long time.
실수를 찾아 수정하세요:
I will track down the nearest coffee shop.
`Track down` implies a difficult search. Finding a nearby coffee shop is usually straightforward.
The detective spent weeks trying to ___ ___ the elusive suspect.
This context emphasizes the difficulty and persistence required to find someone who is hiding or hard to find.
실수를 찾아 수정하세요:
After searching for just five minutes, I finally tracked down my glasses.
`Track down` suggests a prolonged or challenging search. A five-minute search is too short for this idiom.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
The phrase `track down` implies a difficult search, which fits finding a lost pet over several days.
J'ai essayé de retrouver ses coordonnées.
힌트: The verb 'retrouver' can mean 'find' or 'track down'., Consider the context of 'trying' to find something.
The French verb 'retrouver' in this context implies a search for something that isn't immediately available, making `track down` a suitable translation.
We need to ___ ___ the source of this strange noise.
This implies investigating the origin of something that might be hard to identify or locate.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Finding a whistleblower often involves a difficult, persistent search, making `track down` appropriate.
Intentamos rastrear el origen del problema.
힌트: The Spanish verb 'rastrear' literally means 'to track'., Consider the context of finding the source of an issue.
The Spanish 'rastrear' directly relates to tracking, and in this context of finding the source of a problem, `track down` is the most fitting English idiom.
실수를 찾아 수정하세요:
I need to track down a good restaurant for dinner tonight.
While you might research restaurants, `track down` implies a more difficult search than simply choosing one for dinner.
She's determined to ___ ___ the truth, no matter how long it takes.
This implies a persistent and potentially challenging search for information or truth.
🎉 점수: /12
비디오 튜토리얼
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자주 묻는 질문
18 질문It means to find someone or something after a determined and often difficult search. It implies that the object or person was not easy to locate, and you had to put in effort, like following clues or investigating.
It's quite versatile and generally considered neutral. You can use it in casual conversations with friends, and it's also perfectly acceptable in many professional settings, especially when discussing research or problem-solving where effort is involved.
Use 'track down' when you want to emphasize the effort, persistence, or difficulty involved in the search. If finding something was simple and quick, 'find' is usually better. 'Track down' adds a sense of accomplishment after a challenge.
Yes, absolutely! It's very common to 'track down' information, sources, data, or the origin of something. For example, you might track down the source of a quote or track down the reason for a technical error.
It fits situations where something is lost, hidden, elusive, or requires investigation. Think of finding a rare item, locating a person after a long time, or uncovering the cause of a problem. It’s great for stories about quests or detective work.
They are very similar, but 'hunt down' can sometimes imply a more aggressive, urgent, or even forceful search. 'Track down' is generally more neutral and focuses on persistence and methodical effort.
Certainly. In a business meeting, someone might say, 'We need to track down the discrepancies in the financial report before the client sees it.' This implies a thorough investigation is required to find the errors.
A frequent mistake is using it for very simple or immediate finds, like 'I tracked down my phone charger in my bag.' This sounds overly dramatic; 'found' would be more appropriate as it implies little effort.
The past tense is 'tracked down'. For example, 'I finally tracked down the rare book I was looking for,' or 'The team tracked down the source of the network issue.'
The phrase itself is widely understood across English-speaking regions. While specific slang might vary, the core meaning and usage of 'track down' remain consistent in major English dialects like American, British, and Australian English.
Yes, it can be used for abstract concepts when finding them requires effort. For example, you might say, 'It took a lot of introspection to track down the root cause of my anxiety,' implying a deep, internal search.
The vibe is one of determination, persistence, and eventual success after overcoming obstacles. It carries a sense of accomplishment and effort, like a mini-adventure or investigation.
Definitely! It's very common on social media, especially when someone has successfully found a hard-to-get item, a piece of information, or reconnected with someone. For example: 'Finally tracked down that viral recipe! #foodie'
If the search was easy and quick, simply use the verb 'find'. For instance, 'I found my keys on the table.' Using 'track down' in such a case would sound exaggerated.
Not necessarily negative, but it often implies a search for something that might be problematic or hidden, like a criminal, a bug, or a difficult truth. However, it can also be used for positive searches, like finding a rare collectible or a long-lost friend.
Sure. A mistake would be: 'I need to track down the nearest bus stop.' The correct phrasing would be: 'I need to find the nearest bus stop,' because locating a bus stop is usually straightforward and doesn't require a difficult search.
'Look for' is a general term for searching, implying intention but not necessarily difficulty. 'Track down' specifically suggests a challenging, persistent search where you are actively pursuing clues or leads to find something elusive.
Yes, 'tracking down' is the present participle form. You can use it in continuous tenses, like 'I am tracking down the missing files,' or as a gerund, like 'Tracking down the truth was difficult.'
관련 표현
find
related topicTo discover or obtain something.
This is the most basic synonym, but 'track down' adds the nuance of a difficult or prolonged search.
look for
related topicTo search for someone or something.
'Look for' is a general search term, while 'track down' implies a more determined and often successful pursuit after difficulty.
hunt down
synonymTo search for someone or something aggressively or persistently.
Very similar to 'track down', but 'hunt down' can sometimes suggest a more forceful or urgent pursuit.
dig up
related topicTo find information, especially old or hidden information.
Often used for finding buried facts or secrets, similar to 'track down' when searching for information.
locate
related topicTo find the exact position of someone or something.
'Locate' is often more neutral and can imply finding something precisely, whereas 'track down' emphasizes the effort of the search itself.
get hold of
related topicTo obtain or find someone or something.
Similar to finding, but often implies difficulty in contacting or acquiring something, though less intense than 'track down'.
