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

There have been board fights and legal battles to determine which of Jerry’s heirs would take the lead, with various siblings holding the upper hand at certain points. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in a new interview, and he was pressed on whether federal officials should take the lead in the ongoing investigation. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

The Patriots take the lead despite using all three first half timeouts on their opening drive. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Will whoever performs the best in the preseason take the lead for the starting role? — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for take the lead

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