fare strada

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to make road.”

Verb

fàre strada (first-person singular present fàccio strada, first-person singular past historic féci strada, past participle fàtto strada, first-person singular imperfect facévo strada, second-person singular imperative fài strada or fà' strada, auxiliary avére)

1. to make way

   Synonym: fare passare

2. (figurative) to lead the way, to get ahead

   Spetta all'Italia fare strada. ― It is up to Italy to lead the way.

   Vuoi fare strada nella vita? ― You want to get ahead in the world?