轍わだち

noun

rut; wheel track; furrow

Literally the track left by a wheel on a road or path. Figuratively, it can refer to a precedent or the path taken by a predecessor, as in 轍を踏む (to repeat a failure).

• ぬかるみに深ふかい轍わだちができていた。

  Deep ruts had formed in the mud.

• 彼かれは先せん人じんの轍わだちを踏ふまないように注ちゅう意いした。

  He was careful not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors.