Collocations for trail - noun
1. line/smell that sb/sth leaves behind
ADJ.
scent
Ants follow a scent trail laid down previously.
Ants follow a scent trail laid down previously.
blood, smoke, vapour | thin | muddy | false
VERB + TRAIL
lay, leave, make
The couple laid a false trail to escape the paparazzi. | The tourists left a trail of litter behind them.
The couple laid a false trail to escape the paparazzi. | The tourists left a trail of litter behind them.
pick up
The dog had picked up the trail of a rabbit.
The dog had picked up the trail of a rabbit.
follow | lose
The fox had crossed a stream, and the hounds lost the trail.
The fox had crossed a stream, and the hounds lost the trail.
TRAIL + VERB
go cold
They had to find the kidnappers before the trail went cold.
They had to find the kidnappers before the trail went cold.
PREP.
on sb''s ~
Detectives had found several new clues and were back on the murderer''s trail.
Detectives had found several new clues and were back on the murderer''s trail.
PHRASES
a trail of blood, a trail of devastation
The hurricane passed, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The hurricane passed, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
a trail of smoke
2. path/route
ADJ.
forest, nature, woodland | 10-kilometre, 5-mile, etc. | cycle, mountain bike, tourist, walking | hippy, tourist
This restaurant is off the tourist trail.
This restaurant is off the tourist trail.
campaign, comeback, winning
(all figurative) After a disastrous few seasons, the team are on the comeback trail.
(all figurative) After a disastrous few seasons, the team are on the comeback trail.
VERB + TRAIL
follow, hit
In 1967 she hit the hippy trail to India.
In 1967 she hit the hippy trail to India.
be on
(often figurative)
(often figurative)
TRAIL + VERB
go, lead, wend its way
The trail wends its way through leafy woodland and sunny meadows.
The trail wends its way through leafy woodland and sunny meadows.
PREP.
along a/the ~