What Does FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS Mean?

FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS is a common idiomatic expression in English. It means to do the same things as another person did before, especially in important areas of life such as career, education, or personal choices.

In simple terms, it means to follow one’s example, often someone you admire, respect, or feel inspired by.

FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS | definition

In the Longman Dictionary Online, FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS is ddefined as follow:

to do the same job or to work or live in the same way as someone else before you, especially someone in your family

The expression is usually used to talk about long-term decisions, not small or temporary actions.

Meaning and Core Idea

When someone FOLLOWS IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS, they continue a path that has already been taken. This often involves:

• choosing the same profession
• continuing a family or cultural tradition
• being inspired by a mentor or role model
• repeating a successful or respected life path

The idea is not simple copying, but influence and continuity.

Examples of FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS

1. She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a teacher.
2. Many young athletes dream of following in the footsteps of their sports heroes.
3. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the family business.
4. The author followed in the footsteps of earlier writers who focused on social issues.
5. After seeing her success, several colleagues followed in her footsteps.
6. The young scientist hopes to follow in the footsteps of great researchers from the past.
7. He did not want to follow in his parents’ footsteps and chose a different career.
8. The company followed in the footsteps of its competitors and adopted the same strategy.
9. Many students want to follow in their teacher’s footsteps and work in education.
10. She followed in the footsteps of her older sister by studying abroad.
11. The new leader followed in the footsteps of his predecessor and continued the same policies.
12. Inspired by his mentor, he followed in her footsteps and started his own business.

Usage and Register

FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS has a neutral to slightly formal register and is commonly used in:

• everyday spoken English
• education and career discussions
• biographies and personal stories
• journalism and formal writing

It sounds natural in both spoken and written English, especially when talking about life choices and inspiration.

Origin of FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS

The expression comes from the literal idea of walking where another person has walked before.

In the past, following someone’s footprints made travel easier and safer. Over time, this physical image became a metaphor for choosing the same direction in life.

Final Notes on Usage

FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS is a high-frequency idiomatic expression in modern English. It is especially useful when talking about career paths, personal inspiration, and long-term decisions. Learning expressions like this helps learners understand authentic English and communicate ideas more naturally and accurately.