without a trace
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without a trace
Without leaving any trace or clue behind. Usually used in connection with disappearing or removing something.
Der Dieb verschwand mit der Beute spurlos in der Nacht.
The thief disappeared into the night with the loot without a trace.
The word consists of 'Spur' (trace) and the ending '-los' (-less), which means 'without'. So 'spurlos' literally means 'without a trace'.
Das Auto war am nächsten Morgen spurlos verschwunden.
The car had disappeared without a trace by the next morning.
'Spurlos' is almost always used as an adverb that describes a verb, e.g. 'spurlos verschwinden' (to disappear without a trace). Using it as an adjective directly before a noun, e.g. 'der spurlose Dieb' (the traceless thief), is very rare.
Der Fleck auf dem Teppich ließ sich spurlos entfernen.
The stain on the carpet could be removed without a trace.
In the meaning 'without a trace', 'spurlos' is very often combined with the verb 'verschwinden' (to disappear). The phrase 'spurlos verschwinden' (to disappear without a trace) is a fixed collocation.
Das Schiff ist vor 50 Jahren im Bermuda-Dreieck spurlos verschwunden.
The ship disappeared without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle 50 years ago.
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the expression '(nicht) spurlos an jemandem vorübergehen' (to not pass someone by without leaving a trace). It expresses that an experience has affected a person emotionally or psychologically. The person is in the dative case.
Die anstrengenden letzten Jahre sind nicht spurlos an ihr vorübergegangen.
The stressful past few years have not passed her by without leaving a trace.
visible
'sichtbar' and 'spurlos' form an opposite pair when it comes to signs or clues. 'sichtbar' means that you can see something or clearly recognize it. 'spurlos' means that nothing recognizable is left behind, so there is no trace or effect. 'spurlos' is used especially often for things that disappear or are removed. The difference is: with 'sichtbar', there is something you notice; with 'spurlos', precisely nothing noticeable remains.
Der Fleck auf dem Teppich ist nach dem Putzen spurlos verschwunden.
The stain on the carpet disappeared without a trace after cleaning.
Nach der Reparatur war der Schaden an der Tür immer noch sichtbar.
After the repair, the damage to the door was still visible.