trail (redirected from trailing coat)

*on the trail (of someone or something) and *on the track of someone or something

seeking 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.

See also: paper

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.

See also: blaze

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.

See also: hit

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.

See also: hot

put someone off the track and put someone off the trail

to 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.

See also: put, track

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 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.

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.

See also: behind

trail off and trail away

to 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.

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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.

See also: paper

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.

See also: blaze

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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.

See also: blaze

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.