blaze a trail
Forge new paths
To blaze a trail is to mark a path through wilderness, originally by cutting blazes (notches or marks) into trees.
The phrase now usually means to pioneer—to be the first to do something that others will follow: She blazed a trail for women in science.
A trailblazer is someone who opens new territory, literally or figuratively.
One who discovers routes
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- frontiersmanSettler of wild borders
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
- adventurerOne pursuing exciting exploits
discoverer · expedition · voyager · navigator · wilderness · uncharted · territory · bushwhack
Introducing radical new ideas
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
breakthrough · disrupt · transform · pioneer spirit · first mover · original · unprecedented · avant-garde
pathfinder
One who discovers routes
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- frontiersmanSettler of wild borders
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
adventurer · discoverer · expedition · voyager · navigator · wilderness · uncharted · territory · bushwhack · machete
groundbreaking
Introducing radical new ideas
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
cutting-edge · breakthrough · disrupt · transform · pioneer spirit · first mover · original · unprecedented · avant-garde · break new ground
- fire idiomsplay with fire, fight fire with fire, fan the flames, add fuel to fire, on fire
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
- motion idiomsin motion, on the move, on the go, move forward, move along
- initiativetake action, taking initiative, go for it, initiating, take the lead
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, at the helm, call the shots, take charge
blaze a trailfollow in someone's footsteps
Pursue another's career path
toe the line · conform · imitate · copy · follow the crowd
blaze a trailfollow
Go behind another
bring up the rear · trail behind · follow the leader · tag along · come after
blaze a trailstagnate
Cease to develop
stand still · stay put · tread water · rest on one's laurels · do nothing
trail, blaze, blazing, ablaze, trailing, trails, trailed, blazes, blazed