trail blaze
Cut new paths
Trail blaze means to mark a path through wilderness, originally by cutting blazes—notches or painted marks—on trees.
The figurative sense dominates: to be the first to do something, opening the way for others.
A trailblazer pioneers new territory in any field: She trailblazed women's access to corporate boardrooms.
Often written as one word: trailblaze.
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- lead the wayGuide others forward
- pathRoute for traveling
- beaten pathMuch-traveled route
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
forge ahead · wilderness · wilderness area · uncharted territory · mark · flame · torch · hike · woods · adventure · marker · scout · innovate · frontier · explore · smoke · signal · fire
- course markersbuoy, cone, flag, pylon, stake
- marksmark, blemish, blotch, stroke, seal of approval
- markersmarker, markers, permanent marker, permanent markers, highlighter
trail blazefollow
Go behind another
follow the crowd · bring up the rear · tag along · follow in someone's footsteps · trail behind
trail blazeconform
Behave as expected
imitate · copy · play it safe · toe the line · replicate