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Paper Trail

What Does "Paper Trail" Mean?

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"Paper trail" is an English idiom. It means "a documented record or trail of paperwork that provides evidence or a history of events."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "paper trail" used in a sentence:
  • The investigators followed the paper trail to uncover the financial misconduct.
  • A thorough paper trail is essential in legal matters to prove innocence or guilt.
  • He kept a meticulous paper trail of his expenses to track his budget.
meaning for paper trail

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Paper Trail" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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