披荆斩棘

pī jīng zhǎn jí

lit. to cut one's way through thistles and thorns (idiom)

fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way; to break through hardships; to blaze a new trail

to drape over one's shoulders

jīng

chaste tree or berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

zhǎn

to behead (as form of capital punishment)

thorns