paper trail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Companies usually only resort to putting an employee on a PIP if they’re close to being fired and the company needs to create a paper trail documenting poor performance.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
She becomes the de facto “keeper” of these letters and more mementos — a “strange gift,” she writes, the paper trail of something that should never have happened.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
For one, he doesn’t have the provocative paper trail that Dhillon has.
From Salon ● Apr. 12, 2026
Police have also appealed to anyone who bought or shared the images to delete them immediately, warning that "there will be a digital paper trail".
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
It sounded like Jesse didn’t have much of a paper trail to bring to the admissions committee, however.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
