paper trail
Plural
paper trails
1
a collection of documents that provide written or recorded version of someone's activities
The idiom "paper trail" originates from the literal use of the word "trail" to refer to a track or path, and "paper" in this context signifies the written documentation that leaves a trace or path of evidence. The term has been in use since at least the early 20th century. This expression is used to describe a series of documents, records, or written evidence that chronicles a sequence of events or transactions.
- The detective followed the suspect's paper trail to uncover the financial irregularities.
- A well-maintained paper trail is essential for demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements.
- The company kept a meticulous paper trail of all its business transactions.
- In the absence of a paper trail, it can be challenging to reconstruct what happened.
- The auditor reviewed the paper trail of expenses to identify any discrepancies.