path

*off the beaten track and *off the beaten path

Fig. away from the frequently traveled routes. (*Typically: be ~; go ~; travel ~.) We found a nice little Italian restaurant off the beaten track.

See also: beaten, track

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.

See also: beat, 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.

See also: cross

lead someone down the garden path and lead someone up the garden path

to deceive someone. Now, be honest with me. Don't lead me down the garden path. That cheater really led her up the garden path.

See also: garden, lead

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.

See also: 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.

See also: primrose

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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.

See also: cross

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.

See also: beaten, track

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.

See also: beat, door

cross somebody's path

to meet someone, especially by accident If he ever crosses my path again, I'll kill him.

See also: cross

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.

See also: garden, lead, up

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.

See also: least, line, resistance, take

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.

See also: primrose

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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.

See also: beat, 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.

See also: cross

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

See also: garden, lead

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.

See also: beaten

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.

See also: beaten, track

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.

See also: least, resistance