break new ground
Do something unprecedented
Break new ground is to do something innovative or pioneering—to venture where others haven't gone before.
The phrase comes from agriculture, where breaking ground means preparing untilled soil for cultivation.
Now it applies to any field: Her research breaks new ground in cancer treatment.
Related: groundbreaking.
Create a new path
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- inventCreate something new
- revolutionizeChange something fundamentally
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
transform · create · advance · modernize · reinvent · originality · ingenuity · inventiveness
Not yet documented
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- frontierEdge of settlement
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
discovery · venture · foray · wilderness · unknown · unexplored · navigate · chart
trailblaze
Create a new path
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- inventCreate something new
- revolutionizeChange something fundamentally
disrupt · transform · create · advance · modernize · reinvent · originality · ingenuity · inventiveness · creativity
uncharted
Not yet documented
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- frontierEdge of settlement
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
expedition · discovery · venture · foray · wilderness · unknown · unexplored · navigate · chart · map
break new groundplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
toe the line · conform · rehash · imitate · copy
break new groundstagnate
Cease to develop
stand still · tread water · mark time · rest on one's laurels · go nowhere
break new groundfollow in someone's footsteps
Pursue another's career path
jump on the bandwagon · follow the crowd · bring up the rear · trail behind · play catch-up
break, ground, breaks, breaking, broken, breaker, breakers, breakage, newer