The word 牵涉 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a vivid physical action to create a single abstract concept. 牵 (qiān) originally means to pull or lead along, like pulling an ox by a halter, conveying a sense of being drawn or involved. 涉 (shè) means to wade through water, implying stepping into or becoming involved in a situation. Together, they metaphorically depict the idea of being pulled into and immersed in a matter, perfectly capturing the meaning of "to involve" or "to implicate" as one being drawn into and entangled with a complex affair.