find the root of the problem

find the root of the problem

To find or ascertain the cause of a particular problem or issue. The plumber has found the root of the problem, and it doesn’t sound too costly to fix, thank goodness.
See also: find, of, problem, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • determine
  • determine the root of the problem
  • get at the root of the problem
  • get to the root of the problem
  • figure out the root of the problem
  • work the problem
  • band-aid solution
  • solution
  • trouble shared is a trouble halved
  • no probs
References in periodicals archive
In each case, Bretsch said, workers responded first to the substation in an attempt to find the root of the problem.
"If we learn of a certain person who has a problem, we try to find the root of the problem and what we can do to help them come back to their normal life," said Dr Ramachandran.
We try to find the root of the problem and work with the debtor to find a resolution, but our kindness isn't a sign of weakness - ultimately, we are debt collectors, and our job is to collect what's due to our client.
If necessary, you can consult a veterinary behaviorist to find the root of the problem and to develop strategies to retrain your boy.
He's hoping to find the root of the problem which is causing him serious bother, making it difficult to work and even walk.
A spokesman for NRW confirmed that they will spend the winter working with agencies to try and find the root of the problem and find a solution before further water tests, pencilled in for early May before the start of the bathing season.
You need to find the root of the problem first and then sort it out.
He can find the root of the problem and he can treat the problem.
Instead, find the root of the problem. Commonly, the issues include high work stress and pressure to remain on task, boring wellness activities or speakers, incentives that have lost their welcome, or poor timing of events.
Rasouli has tried to find the root of the problem and thinks the lack of an effective mechanism to ensurepromises made were kept (of employment and security) is to blame.
Sophie says the key to dealing with teenage girls is to find the root of the problem Picture by IAN McINTYRE
Vet Anita White said: "Holly was obviously unwell but we couldn't find the root of the problem. She had internal bleeding and gradually became weaker and weaker before passing away at the surgery.
I'm a nurse, a street nurse, and what I see 'downstream' in society necessitates that I look 'upstream' to find the root of the problem. The necessity for street nurses necessitates that our nursing be concerned with politics." (6) Through interviews and personal reflections by homeless activists the book thus tells the story of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee and the Tent City scheme, the principal efforts in the struggle against homelessness in Toronto in the 1990s and 2000s.
"We are trying to find the root of the problem. He has seen a specialist and we must wait and see.
Because of so many incidents, they tasked a psychologist to find the root of the problem. He found these occurrences were more prevalent when pilots transitioned from one airframe to another.