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footstep
follow in (one's) footsteps
To pursue something that someone else (often a family member) has already done. My father was an engineer, and I plan to follow in his footsteps and study engineering in college. I am following in my sister's footsteps and joining her old sorority.
follow in the footsteps of
To pursue something that someone else (often a family member) has already done. I plan to follow in the footsteps of my father and study engineering in college. We are following in the footsteps of all the members of the sorority that came before us!
follow in someone's tracks
and follow in someone's footstepsto follow someone's example; to assume someone else's role or occupation. The vice president was following in the president's footsteps when he called for budget cuts. She followed in her father's footsteps and went into medicine.
follow in somebody's/something's footsteps
also follow in the footsteps of somebody/something to do something that was done before My mother told us never to follow in her footsteps, that we should always try to do better. The company is following in the footsteps of other great research organizations.
follow in somebody's footsteps
to do the same job or the same things in your life as someone else, especially a member of your family He followed in his father's footsteps and went into the army.
follow in someone's footsteps
Also, follow in someone's tracks. Follow someone's example or guidance. For example, Dean hoped his son would follow in his footsteps and become an economist, or Jane tried to follow in her mentor's tracks. [Mid-1500s]
follow in (someone's) footsteps
To carry on the behavior, work, or tradition of.