What is the origin of the idiom "blaze a trail" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "blaze a trail" comes from the practice of pioneers and explorers marking a path through the wilderness by making a series of blazes, or marks, on trees along the way. This made it easier for others to follow the same path. Today, the idiom "blaze a trail" is used more metaphorically to describe any situation where someone is the first to do something or to create a new path or method that others can follow.