Definition & Meaning of "[follow] in {one's} footsteps"

What is the origin of the idiom "follow in one's footsteps" and when to use it?

The idiom "follow in one's footsteps" is used to describe the act of doing the same things that another person, often a family member or predecessor, has done before. The phrase originates from the literal act of following someone's footprints or steps, indicating the path they have taken. Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent the act of pursuing the same path, career, or lifestyle as someone else, particularly a family member or mentor