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Glite Dictionary
to blaze a trail

to blaze a trail

4 5.3
To do something new first so other people can follow
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : marcar el camino
  • She's clearly blazing a trail as she continues to experiment with new structures (one uses an old satellite dish and looks oh so rad), and how these structures interact with each other.

Which is why I'm worried that it's like we're blazing a trail upon which AI companions will easily walk.

Examples

  • Cheers, and thank you for all that you have done to blaze a trail for the BMCC community.

    Blog text (28)

  • The new nondeterministic processor will blaze a trail for the next generation of privatized scientific advancement.

    Travelling Salesman (2012)

  • We're blazing a trail that started in England.

    The Big Trail (1930)

  • These girls are busy blazing a trail across the globe.

    Dreamgirls (2006)

  • It only takes one person to blaze a trail.

    Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)

  • Any time you are blazing a trail of something that is new, you need people who are willing to be pioneers.

    Academic text (2015)

  • We're not lost, we're pioneers, blazing a trail through the new frontier.

    Choke (2008)

  • If there is any county in the country that can blaze a trail of innovation moving forward concerning new ways to teach children, it is tech-heavy, brainy Loudoun County.

    Blog text (10)

  • While distrust of government there and a natural propensity to hide private financial affairs from government add to the reasons why gold is such a favored investment in the subcontinent, it is hoped that the Turkish experiment may well blaze a trail for Indian authorities.

    Blog text (2)

  • She blazed a trail in renewable energy technology, inspiring many others to follow her example.

Synonyms

to pioneer
vsto blaze a trail
66 5.1

To be among the first to try a new idea or method

opens the way for others by creating paths they can follow
to innovate
vsto blaze a trail
39 5.5

Bring in new ideas or ways of doing things

creates an initial path that others can follow rather than just introducing ideas
to push the envelope
vsto blaze a trail
33 7.3

To try new ideas that go beyond accepted limits

opens a path for others instead of merely testing or exceeding limits
to break the mold
vsto blaze a trail
8 5.3

To do something in a new way instead of the usual way

establishes a path others can follow rather than merely changing style
to trailblaze
vsto blaze a trail
3 6.8

Do something new that opens the way for others

is the same meaning but expressed as a single-word verb rather than a phrase

Antonyms

to follow
∞ 1.0

To come after something in time or order

to imitate
186 2.7

Copy the way someone speaks, looks, or acts

How Innovative

to blaze a trail
  • Informal
4 5.3
to innovate
39 5.5
to adapt
178 3.2
to copy
177 1.0
to follow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

blaze a trail infinitive
blazed a trail past
blazed a trail past participle
blazing a trail present participle
blazes a trail third person singular

Morphology

blaze + a + trail

The literal meanings 'blaze' (to mark a path) and 'trail' (a path) map clearly onto the figurative sense of creating a new way, so a learner who knows those constituent senses can plausibly infer the meaning. However, the phrase relies on a metaphorical extension of a physical action (and the specific sense of 'blaze' is somewhat less frequent), so comprehension is not fully immediate for all learners without exposure.

Etymology

Blaze a trail comes from early explorers who would blaze trees or use fire to open a new trail through the woods. So, that image of making a new path is why it now means 'to be the first to do something new'.