paper trail
noun
: documents (such as financial records) from which a person's actions may be traced or opinions learned
Examples of paper trail in a Sentence
They covered up the fraud and were careful not to leave a paper trail.
Recent Examples on the Web
The point is that the plumbing for supervision is being installed even where the public spigot stays shut, and a carrier that treats the attestation as a box-ticking nicety may find, at the next exam, that the box came with a paper trail attached.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Using an account dedicated primarily to federal benefit deposits can create a clearer paper trail and reduce confusion if creditors ever challenge account funds.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 June 2026
First, excellent work keeping that paper trail!
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
However, lenders need a clear paper trail.
—Jason Peters, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper trail
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Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Using an account dedicated primarily to federal benefit deposits can create a clearer paper trail and reduce confusion if creditors ever challenge account funds.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 June 2026
First, excellent work keeping that paper trail!
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
However, lenders need a clear paper trail.
—Jason Peters, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper trail
Cite this Entry
“Paper trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20trail. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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