The missing money is the smoking gun in this case.
smoking gun
idiomEvidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.
Origin
disputed originOften traced back to the Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Gloria Scott.
The detective found a hidden email that served as the smoking gun, proving the manager knew about the fraud.
Although the suspect maintained his innocence, the discovery of the encrypted files provided the smoking gun that ultimately led to his conviction.
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big gun
A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.
- 02
eat one's gun
To commit suicide, especially by use of a firearm discharged into the victim's mouth.
- 03
fire the starting gun
To launch or trigger an event or situation.
- 04
give it the gun
To cause a specific vehicle to accelerate; to open the throttle of an engine.
- 05
gun jumping
An act or instance of jumping the gun.
- 06
hired gun
A person who is employed to advance the interests of their employer, especially in a vigorous manner using such methods as political lobbying, legal advocacy, or persuasion.
- 07
jump the gun
To act or begin too soon or without due caution.
- 08
put a gun to someone's head
To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.