Follow the thread of an argument
Meaning
To understand and track the logical progression and connections of an argument or discussion from beginning to end.
Origin
The imagery of a 'thread' guiding one through a complex situation draws directly from ancient Greek mythology. The most famous connection is to Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete. When Theseus volunteered to slay the Minotaur in the labyrinth, Ariadne fell in love with him and gave him a magical ball of thread (the 'Ariadne's thread') to help him navigate the twisting, disorienting maze and find his way back out after defeating the beast. Just as Ariadne's thread provided a clear, continuous path through a confusing labyrinth, so too does following the thread of an argument allow one to trace the logical progression and connections through a complex or intricate discussion, preventing them from getting lost.
Examples
- During the complex debate, she struggled to follow the thread of the speaker's argument, which kept jumping between different points.
- A good listener knows how to patiently follow the thread of an argument, even when it becomes convoluted.