take the lead

idiom

: to take a position that is ahead of others : go first

You take the lead and we'll follow right behind you.

: 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.

Axios is told two very close aides — deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, First Lady Jill Biden's top adviser — will take the lead on planning for a presidential library, likely in Delaware. —

Axios, 5 Dec. 2024 And now, the Emmy winner and Oscar & Tony nominee is continuing to take the lead, starring in a thrilling, new Netflix series titled The Madness. —

Jeff Conway, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 The idea for such a project dates back to before CFX was created in 2014 — with Osceola planning to take the lead initially. —

Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2024 Houston needed only six plays to go 77 yards and take the lead. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for take the lead

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“Take the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20lead. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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