cut a swath
cut a (wide) swath
1. to cause a lot of destruction, death, or harm in a particular place.
Violent thunderstorms cut a swath of destruction through the area, blowing down trees and damaging houses.
2. to attract a lot of interest or attention.
The two beautiful sisters cut a wide swath through our little town, and every male wanted to take them out.
The new game is unusually inventive and has cut a wide swath in the video game market.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of swath (= a line or strip of grass that has been cut)