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

After scoring the equalizer in the ninth, the Astros scored three runs off Jason Foley to take the lead for good. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

After falling from the uneven bars on day one, Hezly Rivera did not take the lead until the eighth and final rotation in Phoenix. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

In Aries, the taskmaster’s lessons are centered around independence, initiative and the courage to take the lead. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Shangraw adds that Chinese vendors, such as Huawei, Sungrow, and Solis, started to take the lead in recent years as China prioritized solar energy. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for take the lead

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