jäljillä

Jäljillä is a Finnish expression meaning "on the trail" or "in pursuit." It describes the act of following traces, clues, or signs of a person, animal, or event. In literal use, a tracker or investigator follows footprints or tracks; in figurative use, it can indicate being close to discovering or solving something, such as a mystery or missing-person case.

Etymology: from jälki (trace, track) + the locative suffix -llä (-llä in standard written Finnish), yielding roughly "on the traces" or "on the track," with the sense of being actively alongside or pursuing something.

Usage: Common in conversation, journalism, outdoor sports, and crime fiction. In outdoor contexts, guides may say they are on the trail of game. In crime writing and reporting, the phrase signals ongoing pursuit by police or investigators and builds a sense of urgency.

See also: jäljet (traces), tracking, pursuit, Finnish language.