手蔓

彼は叔父の手蔓で大手企業に就職した。

He got a job at a major company through his uncle's connections.

出版社に手蔓を求めて知人を訪ね歩いた。

He went around visiting acquaintances, looking for a contact at a publisher.

政界に手蔓のある人物を紹介してもらった。

I was introduced to someone with connections in the political world.

警察は事件解決の手蔓をつかんだ。

The police found a lead that could solve the case.

何の手蔓もないまま調査は行き詰まった。

With no clues at all, the investigation reached a dead end.

古い手紙が失踪した兄を捜す唯一の手蔓だった。

An old letter was the only lead in the search for his missing brother.