cutting a wide swath

Verb

cut a wide swath (third-person singular simple present cuts a wide swath, present participle cutting a wide swath, simple past and past participle cut a wide swath)

1. (US) To clear a broad track through a grassland, woodland, geographical region, or other area, either by natural means or by human action.
   • Sherman started from Atlanta in the middle of November. He cut a wide swath of desolation through the South.1876, William Swinton, A Condensed School History of the United States, Ivison, Blakeman, and Taylor (New York), p. 277

   Synonyms:

   blaze a trail, cut a swath

2. (US, figuratively, idiomatic) To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
   • Girls who like to cut a wide swath ought to come out to China, for they will have enough flattery and attention to turn their heads.1899, Delight Sweetser Prentiss, One Way Round the World, 2nd edition, Bowen-Merrill, page 124

   Synonyms:

   show off, swagger, throw one's weight around, aura farm, boulevardier, cut it fat, cut round, exhibitionize, figure away, flamboast