Without a Trace – Meaning and Examples
People sometimes vanish completely, objects disappear mysteriously, and evidence can be entirely absent. In English, we describe these situations as disappearing without a trace. This dramatic idiom emphasizes complete and mysterious disappearance.
What Does “Without a Trace” Mean?
“Without a trace” means completely disappeared, with no evidence or signs left behind. Think of it like a ship vanishing in the ocean—no wreckage, no signals, nothing to indicate what happened. It describes situations where something or someone disappears so completely that there’s no evidence they ever existed in that place.
When to Use It
Use this idiom when describing mysterious disappearances of people or objects. Use it when talking about things that vanish completely. Use it in stories about missing items or people. It is a dramatic phrase often used in news, mysteries, and storytelling.
Example Sentences
- The hikers disappeared without a trace in the mountains.
- Someone cleaned the entire house—the mess vanished without a trace.
- The stolen jewels were gone without a trace.
- He left the party without a trace, and no one saw him leave.
Mini Dialogue
Detective: “What can you tell me about the missing documents?”
Office Manager: “They were here yesterday, but today they’re gone without a trace. No one saw anything unusual.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom emphasizes complete disappearance with no evidence. Don’t use it for things that are just hard to find or temporarily misplaced.
❌ Don’t say: “I can’t find my keys—they’re gone without a trace.” (Use “missing” or “lost” instead).
✅ Do say: “The ancient civilization vanished without a trace, leaving archaeologists puzzled for centuries.”
Practice Tip
Watch mystery shows or read news about missing persons cases. When you encounter stories of complete disappearances, create a sentence using “without a trace,” such as “[Person/object] disappeared without a trace from [location].” This helps you practice the idiom in appropriate contexts.
Final Note
You now know how to use “without a trace” to describe complete and mysterious disappearances. This dramatic phrase will help you talk about situations where people or objects vanish completely, leaving no evidence behind. Use it to emphasize the mystery and completeness of disappearances in stories and real-life situations!