- Home
- Idioms
- path
path
cut a path
1. To forge or create a pathway or trail, as between people, plant life, across land, etc. The concert was so packed we could barely move, but Jim is so big that he cut a path for us straight to the front of the stage. The falling star cut a path across the darkened sky.
2. To leave a place. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. It's about time to be heading home; what do you say we cut a path on out of here?
be off the beaten path
To be little-known or in a remote or lesser-known area, as of a place or business. Primarily heard in US. We'll definitely be able to get a table at that restaurant, it's really off the beaten path. I chose that island as a vacation spot because I knew it was off the beaten path and would give me some much-needed solitude.
be off the beaten track
To be little-known or in a remote or lesser-known area, as of a place or business. We'll definitely be able to get a table at that restaurant, it's really off the beaten track. I chose that island as a vacation spot because I knew it was off the beaten track and would give me some much-needed solitude.
beat a path to someone's door
Fig. [for people] to arrive (at a person's place) in great numbers. (The image is that so many people will wish to come that they will wear down a pathway to the door.) I have a new product so good that everyone will beat a path to my door. If you really become famous, people will beat a path to your door.
cross paths (with someone)
Fig. to meet someone by chance and not by choice. The last time I crossed paths with Fred, we ended up arguing about something inconsequential.
lead someone down the garden path
and lead someone up the garden pathto deceive someone. Now, be honest with me. Don't lead me down the garden path. That cheater really led her up the garden path.
*off the beaten track
and *off the beaten pathFig. away from the frequently traveled routes. (*Typically: be ~; go ~; travel ~.) We found a nice little Italian restaurant off the beaten track.
on the warpath
very angry. The boss is on the warpath again. Watch out! l am on the warpath about setting goals and standards again.
path of least resistance
Fig. the easiest course to follow; the easiest route. (Often with follow the or take the.) John will follow the path of least resistance. I like challenges. I won't usually take the path of least resistance.
primrose path
Fig. earthly delights that come to an end. She led him down the primrose path until she got tired of him.
lead somebody down the garden path
also lead somebody up the garden path to deceive someone Our country has been led down the garden path by the politicians in office.
Etymology: based on the idea that a path in a garden is very pleasant, so someone who is brought along it can be deceived without noticing it
beat a path to somebody's door
to be very eager to see you Whenever some ordinary guy wins a big lottery, the press beats a path to his door.
cross your path
to happen to you If you only write about whatever crosses your path each day, your writing may not be very interesting to most readers.
off the beaten path
not known or popular with many people off the beaten track She enjoyed going to foreign-language movies that were a little bit off the beaten path.
the path of least resistance
the way that is the easiest Thieves usually take the path of least resistance, taking the cars that are easiest to steal.
off the beaten track
not known or popular with many people off the beaten path Her tastes in reading tend to be off the beaten track.
on the warpath
angry and ready to argue or fight Hollywood studios are on the warpath, trying to bring an end to the illegal copying of movies. The little girl went on the warpath in defense of her brother.
beat a path to somebody's door
to be very eager to speak to someone and do business with them Put that ad in the paper and you'll have half the town beating a path to your door.
be off the beaten track
(British, American & Australian) also be off the beaten path (American) if a place is off the beaten track, not many people go there Unfortunately, because the gallery's a bit off the beaten track, it doesn't get many visitors.
cross somebody's path
to meet someone, especially by accident If he ever crosses my path again, I'll kill him.
lead somebody up the garden path
(British, American & Australian informal) also lead somebody down the garden path (American informal) to deceive someone We were led up the garden path about the cost of the building work - it turned out really expensive.
take the line/path of least resistance
to act in the way which will be easiest because you will not have to argue with other people about it You could always take the line of least resistance and go with the majority vote.
somebody's paths cross
if two people's paths cross, they meet by chance It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope our paths cross again soon.
the primrose path
(literary) if you lead someone down the primrose path, you encourage them to live an easy life that is full of pleasure but bad for them Unable to enjoy his newly acquired wealth, he felt he was being led down the primrose path that leads to destruction.
beat a path to someone's door
Come to someone in great numbers, as in Ever since she appeared on television, agents have been beating a path to her door. The term beat a path alludes to the trampling action of many feet. [Late 1500s]
cross someone's path
Encounter or meet someone, especially unexpectedly. For example, John didn't know her name, so he was hoping she would cross his path again soon, or She swore she would scream if a snake crossed her path. This phrase originally implied that such an encounter meant obstructing or thwarting a person, but in current usage this is not necessarily true. [Early 1600s]
lead down the garden path
Also,
lead up the garden path. Deceive someone. For example,
Bill had quite different ideas from Tom about their new investment strategy; he was leading him down the garden path . This expression presumably alludes to the garden path as an intentional detour. [Early 1900s] Also see
lead on.
least resistance, line of
Also, path of least resistance. The easiest method, way, or course of action. For example, He tends to do what most people seem to want, taking the line of least resistance. This term employs resistance in the sense of "the physical opposition of one thing or force to another," a usage dating from the early 1600s. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.
off the beaten track
An unusual route or destination, as in We found a great vacation spot, off the beaten track. This term alludes to a well-worn path trodden down by many feet and was first recorded in 1860, although the phrase beaten track was recorded in 1638 in reference to the usual, unoriginal way of doing something.
on the warpath
Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means "a path used by a war party." Go on the war path thus meant "go to battle." It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.
on the warpath
mod. very angry. I am on the warpath about setting goals and standards again.
lead down garden path
Deceive. The path to which the phrase refers meant an intentional detour, so to escort someone down it was to mislead a person who relied on your honesty.
Common Names:
| Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
|---|
| Tonino | | - | Italian |
| Athanaric | | - | Ancient Germanic |
| Deryck | | - | English (Rare) |
| Kasimira | | kah-zee-MEE-rah | German (Archaic) |
| Zelimkhan | | - | Chechen |
| Linus | | LIE-nəs (English), LEE-nuws (German, Swedish) | Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized), German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish |