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

Shelton responded, twice holding off break points before converting a break point of his own to take the lead late in the set. —José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026

Texas Lawmakers tapped the Texas Comptroller’s Office to take the lead on much of Texas’ new voucher program. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

And, the likely star of these games Ilia Malinin, the Quad God, had a spectacular performance in the men’s short program to take the lead going into Friday’s free skate. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

March 21 – April 19 Aries, take the lead with a softer touch. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for take the lead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead