to track down
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to track down
To find or track down someone or something that was hidden, lost, or unknown. This expression is almost always used as a fixed phrase.
Die Polizei konnte den Täter nach langer Suche ausfindig machen.
After a long search, the police were able to track down the perpetrator.
The adverb 'ausfindig' is closely related to the verb 'finden' (to find). It describes the result of a successful search in which something hidden or lost is tracked down.
Es war nicht leicht, seine neue Adresse ausfindig zu machen.
It was not easy to track down his new address.
'Ausfindig' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'jemanden/etwas ausfindig machen' (to track someone/something down). The expression means to find someone or something through a targeted search.
Die Journalistin konnte den geheimen Informanten ausfindig machen.
The journalist was able to track down the secret informant.
In the expression 'ausfindig machen' (to track down), 'ausfindig' behaves in the sentence like a separable prefix. In a main clause, it stands at the end, and in the perfect tense it comes directly before 'gemacht'.
Der Detektiv macht den Zeugen ausfindig.
The detective tracks down the witness.
to find
'finden' and 'ausfindig machen' both have to do with discovering people or things. 'finden' is the normal word and fits in almost all everyday situations. 'ausfindig machen' is used when something or someone is not easy to find, for example because the address is unknown or a person has disappeared. The expression sounds more targeted and somewhat more formal. Learners may confuse them because the result seems similar. The difference is in the process: 'finden' can simply happen, while 'ausfindig machen' emphasizes a targeted search.
Nach dem Gespräch machte er die Adresse des alten Hotels ausfindig.
After the conversation, he tracked down the address of the old hotel.
Im Park findet Ali eine Sonnenbrille auf der Bank.
In the park, Ali finds a pair of sunglasses on the bench.