to cut open
to clear (land); to cut (a path, road, etc.); to open; to cut one's way through (e.g. a jungle)
to carve out (a new career, future, etc.); to open up (a new field)
森を切り開いて道を作った。
I cleared the forest and made a path.
若者が自分の未来を切り開いている。
Young people are carving out their own futures.
困難を乗り越えて道を切り開く姿に感動した。
I was moved by the sight of overcoming difficulties and forging a path.