have/hold the lead
idiom
: to be in the winning position in a race or competition
A runner from Kenya has/holds the lead.
Examples of have/hold the lead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Marlins led 5-2 but six relief pitchers were not enough to hold the lead.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
After Mike Trout’s homer put the Angels on the board in the top of the first, Patrick Sandoval failed to hold the lead for even three outs, sending the Angels on their way to an 11-3 Opening Day loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
—Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 28 Mar. 2024
Alex Bowman and many cars farther back pit as well, as Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell hold the lead.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
But the Huskies couldn’t hold the lead in the final moments.
—Tim Booth, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
The right-hander pitched into the eighth inning with the Orioles ahead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and the Orioles lost, 4-3.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2024
In an email to PEOPLE Thursday, a Coast Guard spokesperson said that Alaska State and Wildlife Troopers have the lead in the investigation of the case.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024
China and the United States currently have the lead in quantum computing, with Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the EU also in the game.
—Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
The All-Stars led 98-96 with 2 minutes left, but were unable to hold the lead.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
After Mike Trout’s homer put the Angels on the board in the top of the first, Patrick Sandoval failed to hold the lead for even three outs, sending the Angels on their way to an 11-3 Opening Day loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
—Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 28 Mar. 2024
Alex Bowman and many cars farther back pit as well, as Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell hold the lead.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
But the Huskies couldn’t hold the lead in the final moments.
—Tim Booth, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
The right-hander pitched into the eighth inning with the Orioles ahead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and the Orioles lost, 4-3.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2024
In an email to PEOPLE Thursday, a Coast Guard spokesperson said that Alaska State and Wildlife Troopers have the lead in the investigation of the case.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024
China and the United States currently have the lead in quantum computing, with Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the EU also in the game.
—Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
The All-Stars led 98-96 with 2 minutes left, but were unable to hold the lead.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'have/hold the lead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Have/hold the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%2Fhold%20the%20lead. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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