take the lead

idiom

1
: to take a position that is ahead of others : go first
You take the lead and we'll follow right behind you.
2
: to take the winning position in a race or competition
Her car has taken the lead.
Our team took the lead in the eighth inning.
often used figuratively
Their company has taken the lead in developing this new technology.

Examples of take the lead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And there is no clear plan for who will take the lead in rebuilding and then governing it. Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025 Stop following our lead and actually take the lead. CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025 Dylan Larkin scored in the second period to take the lead. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025 The second period saw the same intensity, as both teams had opportunities to take the lead until Dylan Larkin sniped a wrister past Canada goalie Jordan Binnington to give the US a 2-1 lead. Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take the lead

Cite this Entry

“Take the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20lead. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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