cut a (wide) swath
1. To garner attention. Cindy is such a talented designer that I'm sure her gowns will cut a swath in the fashion world. Of course the local newspaper wants to interview my brother—he's the star athlete of our high school, so he's cut a wide swath in our area. If you do well with this project, you could cut a swath in the C-suite.
2. To cause a lot of damage or suffering in a specific area or population. It seems that the high winds cut a wide swath through our neighborhood last night, blowing down trees and power lines on nearly every street. Severe malnourishment has certainly cut a swath through this part of the globe. The wildfires have cut a wide swath through forests all across California.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cut a wide swath
and cut a big swathto seem important; to attract a lot of attention. In social matters, Mrs. Smith cuts a wide swath. Bob cuts a big swath whenever he appears in his military uniform.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
cut a wide swath
Draw a lot of attention, make a considerable display, as in Although he was new to the company, he cut a wide swath. This metaphoric use of making a big sweep of the scythe in cutting grass survives despite the mechanization of farming and the declining use of the noun swath. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cut a wide swath
To make a big display; draw much attention.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.