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 figurativelyTheir company has taken the lead in developing this new technology.
Examples of take the lead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wallstedt stopped a breakaway with just under five minutes left in the period, but the Kings got a power play in the process and scored on the man advantage to re-take the lead.
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Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Manning found tight end Jack Endries for a 17-yard touchdown pass to take the lead.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
But Charlotte quickly turned the tables with Ball hitting three 3s, helping the Hornets put together a 32-12 run to take the lead heading into the fourth quarter.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The understudies take the lead this Thursday.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Manning found tight end Jack Endries for a 17-yard touchdown pass to take the lead.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
But Charlotte quickly turned the tables with Ball hitting three 3s, helping the Hornets put together a 32-12 run to take the lead heading into the fourth quarter.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
The understudies take the lead this Thursday.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
Cite this Entry
“Take the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20lead. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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