follow in one's footsteps — to do the same work or have the same career as someone who came before you, especially a family member
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to do the same work or have the same career as someone who came before you, especially a family member
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfɑːloʊ ɪn wʌnz ˈfʊtsteps/
Example Sentences
- Despite his parents' wishes, Tom refused to follow in his father's footsteps as a lawyer and became a chef instead.
- Three generations of the family followed in each other's footsteps as circus performers.
- Sarah thought about following in her mother's footsteps as a teacher, but then realized she hated children.
follow in one's footsteps
NOUN[/ˈfɑːloʊ ɪn wʌnz ˈfʊtsteps/]
to do the same work or have the same career as someone who came before you, especially a family member
The young blacksmith follows in his father's footsteps, hammering iron at the same forge.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase evolved from the literal meaning of following someone's physical footprints to a figurative expression meaning to emulate or imitate someone's path or career. The metaphorical development reflects how tracing actual footsteps became a metaphor for adopting someone's methods, values, or life direction.
Breakdown
follow (pursue, go after) + in (within, during) + one's footsteps (physical or metaphorical tracks left behind). The phrase combines the verb 'follow' with the prepositional phrase 'in one's footsteps,' where 'footsteps' represents the literal or figurative path someone has taken.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Despite his parents' wishes, Tom refused to follow in his father's footsteps as a lawyer and became a chef instead.”
“Three generations of the family followed in each other's footsteps as circus performers.”
“Sarah thought about following in her mother's footsteps as a teacher, but then realized she hated children.”
“He literally followed in his grandfather's footsteps by walking the same hiking trail every morning.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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