Definition of «walked so someone could run»

"Walked so someone could run" is a common idiomatic expression used to credit a predecessor for paving the way for a successor's greater success or more extreme behavior. It suggests that the first person's efforts, style, or sacrifices established a foundation that allowed the second person to excel or push boundaries even further. The phrase is often used in pop culture discussions to link characters, artists, or public figures who share similar traits across different eras. In the provided text, it highlights how one character's performance set the stage for a newer, more intense version of that archetype.