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

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Look for a direct paper trail that starts with the automaker and ends with the current owner, and ideally includes the original window sticker, sales contract, the owner’s manual and other paperwork that came with the car, along with copies of titles and bills of sale. —

Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Additionally, audit logs and communication records help create a consistent paper trail, which is critical for regulatory reviews and minimizing risks associated with non-compliance. —

Rishi Choudhary, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 The paper trail is your best defense in case of disputes later on. —

Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024 Many in the public were distrustful of the touch-screen devices, which didn’t produce a paper trail allowing people to know for sure if their votes were being recorded as intended. —

Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paper trail