中学英语课本中The Footprint一文有这样一句：Then he made his way down to the shore.此句含义十分明晰，即“然后他走向岸边”。该教材提供的注释是：make one's way有“排除困难前进”之意。并附了一例句：He made his way out when the film ended.（电影结束时，他挤了出来。）注释准确地说明了make one's way的含义。

其实，“v. + one's way”是英语中表示“排除种种困难前进”这一意思的常见搭配。这种搭配简洁、生动，广见于口语及书面语。除用字面意义外，有时还用其引申义。这一搭配中的 way已具有抽象意义，不用其复数形式。现按动词分类将此搭配简介于下。

一、人体部位名词转化而成的动词 + one's way

1. elbow one's way

The ambulance-men had to elbow their way through the huge crowd standing round the crashed car.

救护车人员不得不挤入站立在撞坏的轿车周围的一大堆人群。

2. shoulder one's way

Dick shouldered his way to the front, shouldering others aside.

迪克把别人挤在一边，自己挤到前边。

3. nose one's way

The steamer nosed its way along the winding creek.

汽船沿着弯曲的河道探路前进。

二、动物名称名词转化而成的动词 + one's way

1. worm one's way

The soldier wormed his way toward the enemy's lines.

战士匍匐前行，爬向敌人防线。

He wormed his way into her affections.

他渐渐博得了她的好感。

2. snake one's way

The train was snaking its way through the mountains.

一列火车正在群山中蜿蜒前行。

三、形象感较强的动词 + one's way

1. pick one's way

He picked his way across the rough and rocky hillside.

他小心翼翼地走过乱石嶙峋的山坡。

2. plough one's way

The ship ploughed her way through the huge waves.

船在惊涛骇浪中破浪前进。

3. weave one's way

She felt a slight relief when she wove her way out of the crowd.

当她斗折蛇形地从人群中挤出来时，她稍稍透了一口气。

4. grope (feel) one's way

The blind man groped (felt) his way to the door.

盲人摸到了门口。

此类搭配还有：squeeze one's way、fight one's way、shoot one's way、force one's way、thread one's way、beat one's way、dig one's way、carve one's way等。