paved
Covered with a hard, smooth material so people or cars can move on it easily.
Having its surface covered with asphalt, concrete, stones, or another hard material to make it firm and smooth for walking or driving.
Past tense of "pave": to put hard material like asphalt, concrete, or stones on the ground to make a road or path.
Past tense and past participle of "pave": to cover a road, path, or open area with asphalt, concrete, stones, or another hard material to create a firm, smooth surface.
- Base: paved
pave the way (for [something])
1make something possible later
To do something that makes it easier or possible for another thing to happen in the future.
- Her research paved the way for new treatments for the disease.
- The trade agreement paved the way for closer economic ties between the two countries.
- These changes in the law paved the way for further reforms.
the streets are paved with gold
1place imagined as extremely rich
Used to describe a city or country that people imagine as very rich and full of chances to make money, usually more than it really is.
- Many people moved to the big city thinking the streets were paved with gold.
- Immigrants often arrived believing the streets were paved with gold, but life was actually very hard.
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
1good intentions can lead to harm
A saying that means having good intentions is not enough; if you do not act carefully or wisely, your actions can still cause bad results.
- He gave them the money without checking anything, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
- "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," she reminded him when he wanted to lie to protect a friend.
- She meant to help, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and her plan made things worse.
- He meant to help, but ended up making things worse—proof that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.