A Well-Worn Path 🥾
Definition: A familiar or established route or method, indicating something that has been used repetitively and has become trite or unoriginal.
Origin: The phrase likely originates from the literal observation that a frequently used pathway is worn down by the constant treading of many feet. It’s first noted in a figurative sense in the seventeenth century. Samuel Johnson clearly articulated this view in 1751 when he wrote, “The imitator treads a beaten walk,” indicating unoriginality by following well-worn routes.
Synonyms:
- Beaten track
- Commonplace
- Routine path
Antonyms:
- Off the beaten track
- Unconventional
- Innovative
Similar Terms & Phrases:
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Off the Beaten Track: Refers to something unusual or innovative. It suggests veering away from the familiar, well-worn paths to explore new roads and ideas.
- Example: “She enjoys traveling off the beaten track whenever she visits a new country.”
-
Well-Trodden Path: Similar to a well-worn path, implying frequent use or adherence to a routine or established method.
- Example: “He decided to abandon the well-trodden path and start his own business.”
-
In a Rut: Suggests being stuck in a monotonous routine or situation.
- Example: “He felt that his career was in a rut, and longed for new challenges.”
Notable Quotes:
- “Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.” ― David Lloyd George
Proverbs:
- “Variety is the spice of life.” Meaning, life is more interesting when there is diversity.
Literature & Media to Explore:
- Book: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
- Poem: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
- Song: My Way by Frank Sinatra
- Movie: Dead Poets Society, where unconventional methods yield profound results.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken is often misinterpreted as advocating individualism? Frost himself mentioned that it was a playful jab at a friend who often lamented about lost opportunities.
Inspirational Farewell: “May your paths be countless, and your wanderings wondrous. Step boldly off the beaten track, for therein lies the essence of discovery and innovation.” — E. Eureka
