Verb
tread the boards (third-person singular simple present treads the boards, present participle treading the boards, simple past trod the boards or treaded the boards, past participle trod the boards or trodden the boards) (intransitive, idiomatic, dated or humorous)
To work as an theatre actor.
Synonyms: tread the stage, walk the boards
(figuratively) To write plays for the theatre.