A Problem Is A Region In A Landscape

Source Domain

location

Target Domain

problem

-- 1 We've got to explore this problem.

-- 2 We've got to survey the problem.

-- 3 Let's map out the problem before we do anything else.

-- 1 I think we're headed in the right direction.

-- 2 How close are we to finding a solution?

-- 3 The solution still lies far ahead.

-- 4 We aren't getting any nearer to an answer.

-- 5 Let's not leave any stone unturned.

Approaches To A Solution Are Paths In Landscape (a.k.a. Reasoning is Following a Path, Thinking is Moving)

-- 1 Let's follow this line of thinking.

-- 2 Are we all thinking along the same lines.

-- 3 Don't go off on tangents.

-- 4 Let's get our thinking back on track.

-- 5 Are we all going in the same direction?

-- 1 The evidence all points in the same direction.

-- 2 This evidence doesn't tell us where to start.

-- 3 The evidence led us straight to the killer.

-- 1 We're going around in circles.

-- 2 The answer could be right in front of us, we're just not seeing it.

Note: is a mobile entity, and one where the solution is buried.

-- 1 We finally tracked down a solution.

-- 2 It was an elusive answer.

-- 3 The answer kept evading us.

see SEEKING IS HUNTING, IDEAS ARE MOVING OBJECTS.

-- 1 This problem has a buried solution.

-- 2 He unearthed the answer.

-- 3 The solution finally was brought to light.

-- 4 He uncovered the answer.

-- 5 He dug into the problem.

-- 6 He dug for the solution.

Also related to Mental metaphor of IDEAS ARE LOCATIONS