determine

determine the root of the problem

To find or ascertain the cause of a particular problem or issue. The plumber has determined the root of the problem, and it doesn’t sound too costly to fix, thank goodness.
See also: determine, of, problem, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*root of the problem

an understanding of the causes or basis of a problem. (*Typically: determine ~; figure out ~; find ~; get to ~; get at ~.) It will take a little more study to get to the root of the problem. Let's stop avoiding the issue and get at the root of the problem.
See also: of, problem, root
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bound and determined to

Firmly resolved to, as in He was bound and determined to finish the assignment before taking on another. This phrase is a redundancy used for emphasis, as bound and determined here both mean "resolved to." Also see bound to.
See also: and, bound, determined
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • determine the root of the problem
  • find 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
The regulations also clarify that the net value of a disregarded entity must be determined initially as of the earlier of the first date occurring on or after the date on which the requirement to determine the net value arises, or the end of the partnership's tax year in which the requirement to determine the net value arises.
In some instances, we are asked to determine which contaminants could impact the cure or performance of an adhesive.
Finally, removing questions could limit the form's ability to effectively determine student need.
The 2006 proposed regulations generally determine the taxable income or loss of a Section 987 QBU by translating its income and loss items at the average exchange rate for the year.
Once the new positions are implemented, one can use metrics to determine if the allocations are correct, the workload is too high for any operator, and the training interventions were acceptable.
Convert watts into kilowatts to determine the generator size required.
4 Managing Leverage with New Forms of Debt -- Determine if convertibles that look like equity actually act as debt triggers.
This enables the estimator to determine the box or window into which the work being estimated should fit, based on the organization's past performance.
* die attack--testing was done to simulate hot chamber diecasting to determine if the composition of elements would gradually harm a ferrous die, such as in chemical reactions of opposite metals.
A meticulous investigation must begin immediately to determine if criminal behavior caused or contributed to the death of the child.
* Determine the relationships between support items on two or more end items
In order to approve an application by a foreign bank to establish an agency in the United States, the IBA and Regulation K require the Board to determine that the foreign bank applicant engages directly in the business of banking outside of the United States and has furnished to the Board the information it needs to assess the application adequately.
We exposed tadpoles to the industrial pollutant octyiphenol (OP) for 24 hr before and during the critical stages of sexual differentiation to determine whether this known endocrine disruptor affects sex differentiation and SF-1 expression.
For example, if you don't determine the difference between a hotel's net and commissionable rate for rooms, then you don't know what percentage of the rate is negotiable, explains John C.
Another barrier to determining IT ROI is that many companies lack true knowledge of their manufacturing and business processes and cannot determine the impact of new or more reliable information.