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trail
hit the sawdust trail
1. dated To accept, practice, or convert to Christianity at an evangelist's revival meeting, so as to find redemption, rehabilitation, or spiritual salvation. Alludes to sawdust-covered aisles of the temporary church dwellings for revival meetings in the early 1900s. Primarily heard in US. That travelling evangelist has been pleading for everyone in town to hit the sawdust trail, for he believes that the end is nigh. My friend, the only way you will find peace within yourself is by hitting the sawdust trail at our meeting place over yonder.
2. dated Of an itinerant evangelist preacher, to begin travelling to the next location where one will preach. ("Sawdust trail" is sometimes capitalized in this usage.) Primarily heard in US. Old Bill Baxton? Shoot, he's been hitting the Sawdust Trail for the better part of his life. He probably wouldn't be able to settle down in one place if he tried!
the sawdust trail
1. dated The path or journey to redemption or rehabilitation (as for a sinner or criminal) by accepting, practicing, or converting to Christianity at an evangelist revival meeting. Alludes to sawdust-covered aisles of the temporary church dwellings for revival meetings in the early 1900s. Primarily heard in US. That travelling evangelist has been pleading for everyone in town to hit the sawdust trail, for he believes that the end is nigh.
2. (sometimes capitalized) dated The itinerary of or route taken by a travelling evangelist preacher. Primarily heard in US. Old Bill Baxton? Shoot, he's been on the Sawdust Trail for the better part of his life. He probably wouldn't be able to settle down in one place if he tried!
throw (someone) off the trail
To misdirect someone away from his or her point of pursuit; to steer someone's investigation or suspicions in the wrong direction. The mafia accountant had been throwing the authorities off the trail of the mob's money laundering for years. My husband has some suspicions about our affair, but the trip I'm taking for work will throw him off the trail.
paper trail
Physical or digital documentation of a person's activities. The con artist wrote fraudulent checks all over the state, leaving a paper trail for police to follow. Frank swore that he wasn't using the company's computer for illegal activities, but the digital paper trail he left proved otherwise.
trail (one's) coat
To incite an argument. If one literally trails one's coat, a passerby could easily step on it, thus creating a tense situation. With a comment like that, she is clearly trailing her coat, and I refuse to take the bait.
blaze a trail
1. Lit. to make and mark a trail. The scout blazed a trail through the forest.
2. Fig. to do early or pioneering work that others will follow up on. Professor Williams blazed a trail in the study of physics.
hit the road
Fig. to depart; to begin one's journey, especially on a road trip; to leave for home. It's time to hit the road. I'll see you. We have to hit the road very early in the morning.
hit the trail
Inf. to leave. (As if one were hiking or riding a horse.) I have to hit the trail before sunset. Let's hit the trail. It's late.
hot on the trail (of someone, some creature, or something)
Fig. very close to finding or catching up with someone, some creature, or something. I am hot on the trail of the book that I have been seeking for months.
*on the trail (of someone or something)
and *on the track of someone or somethingseeking someone or something; about to find someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I'm on the trail of a new can opener that is supposed to be easier to use. I spent all morning on the track of a vendor who can meet our requirements.
*paper trail
Fig. a series of records that is possible to examine to find out the sequence of things that happen. (*Typically: have ~; leave ~; make ~.) The legal department requires all these forms so that there is a paper trail of all activity.
put someone off the track
and put someone off the trailto cause someone to lose a trail that is being followed. (See also
put someone off the scent;
throw someone off the track.)
A distraction put me off the track and I almost got lost in the jungle. I was following an escaped convict and something put me off the trail.trail (along)
(after someone or something) 1. to drag along after someone or something. His pants were torn, and a piece of his trouser leg trailed along after him. His trouser leg trailed after him.
2. to follow along after someone or something. A little dog trailed along after Mary and Karen. Is that your dog trailing along?
trail behind
(someone or something) 1. to follow or drag along behind someone or something. A long satin train trailed behind the bride. A long train trailed behind.
2. to move along behind someone or a group in a competition. Sally trailed behind the rest of the marathon runners. Roger trailed behind Dave during most of the race.
trail off
and trail awayto fade away, as with speech, words, singing, etc. Her voice trailed off as she saw who was waiting at the door. Ken's words trailed away as he passed out.
trail over something
to lie behind, flowing out over something. Her long gown trailed over the marble floor. The flowering vine trailed over the wall, making a lovely little garden area.
trail someone or something by something
to have a smaller score than someone or something by a specific number of points. Our team trails the visiting team by only six points. I trailed her by only a few points.
hit the road
to begin traveling I'd love to stay longer, but it's really time to hit the road.
blaze a trail
to do something different The hospital has blazed a trail in children's care by giving them many things to do and allowing visitors at any hour.
trail off
also trail away to become quieter His voice trailed off weakly and we could not hear the rest of what he said. The wail of the sirens finally trailed away almost completely.
blaze a trail
to do something that no-one has done before, especially something which will be important for other people The hospital has blazed a trail in developing new techniques for treating infertility.
hit the road
to start a journey It's getting late - I'd better hit the road.
a paper trail
(American & Australian) documents which show what someone has been doing He was easy to find, he left a paper trail a mile wide.
blaze a trail
Find a new path or method; begin a new undertaking. For example, His research blazed a trail for new kinds of gene therapy. This expression was first used literally in the 18th century for the practice of marking a forest trail by making blazes, that is, marking trees with notches or chips in the bark. [Late 1800s]
hit the road
Also, hit the trail. Set out, as on a trip. For example, Come on, it's time to hit the road, or Jack hit the trail at dawn. [Late 1800s]
trail off
v. To become gradually fainter; dwindle: The writer's prolific output trailed off as the years went by.
hit the road
tv. to leave; to begin to travel on a road. (see also
smack the road.)
Let’s hit the road. We have a long way to go. hit the trail
tv. to leave. (As if one were riding a horse.) I have to hit the trail before sunset.
hit the road
Slang To set out, as on a trip; leave.