cut a wide swath

1. Draw a lot of attention, make a considerable display, as in Although he was new to the company, he cut a wide swath. This metaphoric use of making a big sweep of the scythe in cutting grass survives despite the mechanization of farming and the declining use of the noun swath. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

The Republican-led House last month passed legislation would cut a wide swath of government spending by 8% next year.

Read more on Reuters

A plan passed by the House last month would cut a wide swath of government spending by 8% next year.

Read more on Reuters

The bill would cut a wide swath of government spending to last year's levels, a decrease of about 9%.

Read more on Reuters

The EF-2 twister, with winds of 130 mph, cut a wide swath and ripped through the city, destroying and severely damaging hundreds of homes.

Read more on Seattle Times

This month’s suggestions for the hidden gems of your subscription streaming services cut a wide swath of genres and styles, including a piercing psychological thriller, a moody marital drama and a buck-wild sex comedy, with a handful of first-rate documentaries to keep you anchored in reality.

Read more on New York Times