A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

make way for something • pave the way for
 something
make way for something —
1
. move away or be removed so
that some other thing is able to stand there: In the end, the
cinema is pulled down to make way for a parking lot. 2. move
aside so as to allow room for smth. such as a vehicle to pass:
When an ambulance approached, she pulled over to the side
of the road to make way for the ambulance. 3. be succeeded
or replaced by smth. else: The manual typewriter made way
for the electric then electronic typewriter which, in turn, made
way for word processors.
Note: 
The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with
the phrase give way to something—
1
. allow a vehicle, etc. to
pass first: In most countries (where rules are observed) the usual
is to give way to traffic on the driver’s side. 2. = make way for
something 3: As passenger trains gave way to air and highway
travel, train depots became obsolete. 3. agree to smb.’s demands,
etc.: I entreat you not to give way to his evil suggestions;
oppose the adversary while you can. 4. abandon oneself to a
feeling of sorrow, anger, etc.: She gave way to her grief in a Cen-
ter Street restaurant where she stopped for breakfast and con-
siderably startled the waiters…
pave the way for something —prepare the way for smth. new
to come; make the development of smth. easier: Park directors
are looking to us to pave the way for similar organizations
throughout the country.
man about town • townman
man about town—(dated) a man who socializes in fashion-
able circles: A young man afraid of marriage may compensate
by specializing in dating and courting, becoming a “man about
town.”
Note: 
The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase
man of the town—(arch.) one belonging to the shady or “fast”
side of town life; a rake, a debauchee: Several of our men of the
town … make use of the most coarse uncivilized words in our
language.
townman —(also: townsman) 
1
. an inhabitant of a town (as
contrasted with a countryman): A townman would think the
world slept, so great was the booming quietness. 2. a fellow-
inhabitant of a town: Mr. McClung continued to enjoy the
confidence and esteem of his townmen and held public posi-
tions.