take the lead

phrase

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

Orlando had a chance to take the lead in the 37th minute but Katie Atkinson saved Marta's penalty shot after Haley McCutcheon drew a foul in the box on Chicago Aaliyah Farmer. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

Choose relationships where both people are allowed to shine, and take the lead when necessary. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Milwaukee, which trailed 3-0 early, scored four runs in the sixth to take the lead 6-3. — Miami Herald, 19 July 2026

State officials say that with current uncertainty at the federal level, local government has a chance to take the lead on what AI policy and workforce strategy could look like. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Rhymes for take the lead

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