paper trail

blaze a trail

To show the way or proceed rapidly.

death by a thousand paper cuts

An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excessive number of bureaucratic hurdles.

hike the Appalachian Trail

To engage in an extramarital affair.

hot on the trail

Synonym of hot on someone's heels.

paper tiger

Something or someone that appears powerful, strong or threatening but is in reality weak, ineffective, or unable to withstand challenge.

put pen to paper

To write something (especially using pen and ink).

sawdust trail

The route followed by an itinerant Christian preacher in the United States.

start with a clean sheet of paper

Synonym of start with a clean sheet.