cut a swath through (something)
cut a swath through (something)
To cause a lot of damage or suffering in a specific area or population. It seems that the high winds cut a 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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cut a swathe through
pass through something causing great damage, destruction, or change.A swathe was the area cut by a single sweep of a mower's scythe, and so the width of a strip of grass or corn cut in this way.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
cut a ˈswathe through something
(of a person, fire, etc.) pass through a particular area destroying a large part of it: The new road cut a swathe through the countryside.A swathe was the area of grass, etc. cut by one movement of a scythe (= a curved tool used for cutting grass).
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017