2trail noun
plural trails [count] 1 : a path through a forest, field, etc.
▪ Stay on the trail if we get separated. ▪ a bike/ski trail — see also nature trail 2 : the marks, signs, smells, etc., that are left behind by someone or something and that can often be followed
▪ He left (behind) a trail of blood. ▪ The car left a trail of smoke as it sped off. ▪ The storm left a trail of destruction in its wake. [=the storm caused a lot of destruction as it moved across the land] ▪ The dogs were following her trail. = The dogs were on her trail. ▪ When we got to the river, the trail went cold. [=it could no longer be found or followed] ▪ The police are hot on the trail of the escaped convicts. [=are chasing the escaped convicts and are close to catching them] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ As he gained more political power, he left a trail of bitterness behind him. [=he treated people badly and made them feel bitter] — see also paper trail, vapor trail 3 : a route that someone follows to go somewhere or achieve something
▪ following the trail to success ▪ The candidates talked about the people they met on the campaign trail. [=the people they met while going to different places during the campaign]
▪ Stay on the trail if we get separated. ▪ a bike/ski trail — see also nature trail
▪ He left (behind) a trail of blood. ▪ The car left a trail of smoke as it sped off. ▪ The storm left a trail of destruction in its wake. [=the storm caused a lot of destruction as it moved across the land] ▪ The dogs were following her trail. = The dogs were on her trail. ▪ When we got to the river, the trail went cold. [=it could no longer be found or followed] ▪ The police are hot on the trail of the escaped convicts. [=are chasing the escaped convicts and are close to catching them] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ As he gained more political power, he left a trail of bitterness behind him. [=he treated people badly and made them feel bitter] — see also paper trail, vapor trail
▪ following the trail to success ▪ The candidates talked about the people they met on the campaign trail. [=the people they met while going to different places during the campaign]
blaze a trail — see 4blaze
hit the trail
chiefly US : to begin a journey
▪ We should be ready to hit the trail by 8:00. ▪ The candidates will soon be hitting the campaign trail.
▪ We should be ready to hit the trail by 8:00. ▪ The candidates will soon be hitting the campaign trail.
