cut a swathe
Make dramatic progress
To cut a swathe is to make a dramatic impression or have a conspicuous effect, often while moving through a place or group: She cut a swathe through Hollywood in the 1990s.
The phrase suggests clearing a wide path, leaving an obvious mark.
From the literal sense of cutting a strip through a field of grain.
Also spelled *cut a swath*.
- stand outBe noticeably different
- make a splashGenerate sudden widespread notice
- impressAffect with admiration
- take by stormConquer or captivate suddenly
- dominateControl through superior strength
hold sway · impact · conspicuous · remarkable · blaze a trail · clear a path · make waves · make an impression · forge ahead · make headway · trailblaze · commanding · break ground · noticeable · leave a mark · mow down · plough through · devastate
cut a swathepick one's way
Move carefully through difficulty
tread carefully · inch forward · skirt around · go around · steer clear
cut a swathestay in one's lane
Stick to your expertise
take a back seat · keep one's head down · hide one's light under a bushel
cut, cuts, cutting, cutter, cutters, undercut, shortcut, swathe, swathes