beaten path

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A track made firm by many people walking along it, or a familiar, well-used route.

   Grammar: Usually the beaten path: He followed the beaten path.

   Patterns

   • follow the beaten path

   We followed the beaten path up the hill.

   The beaten path to the lake was easy to see.

   They left the beaten path and climbed through the trees.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   Used in 'off the beaten path', describing places that are remote or unusual and not usually visited.

   Grammar: Usually off the beaten path, used after be or go.

   Patterns

   • off the beaten path

   The restaurant is off the beaten path, but it is worth the trip.

   She loves visiting towns off the beaten path.

   They found a quiet beach off the beaten path.

Word forms

Common combinations

off the beaten path

The cabin is off the beaten path.

stick to the beaten path

We stuck to the beaten path during the hike.

leave the beaten path

He left the beaten path to explore.

follow the beaten path

They followed the beaten path through the forest.

well off the beaten path

The village is well off the beaten path.

Synonyms and how they differ

beaten track

Beaten track is the British version and means the same, while beaten path is the usual American form.

well-trodden path

Well-trodden path stresses many travelers or common methods, rather than the physical track.

trail

Trail is the plain word for a marked route, while beaten path suggests wear from heavy use.

trodden way

Trodden way is old-fashioned and literary.

Opposites

Word family

beat verb

to hit or wear down

beaten adjective

made firm by use or defeated

path noun

a track for walking

pathway noun

a path or route

Commonly confused: beaten path or beating path?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “beaten path”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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