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 Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department are expected to take the lead in the case, according to the LAPD. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The Broncos had the ball with a chance to take the lead late when Lewis snatched a steal and, up 68-67, coach Stacie Terry Hutson called a timeout with 29 seconds left. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 Tommy Forsgren, lead designer at BMW Group and responsible for the BMW Series 6, will take the lead on the design. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 In essence, the customers take the lead in the design, management and responsibility for the outcomes of the CAB. Eyal Danon, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The model legislation is part of a multipronged strategy by Democratic President Biden’s administration to encourage states to take the lead on gun safety as legislation has stalled in Congress, including bills to enact universal background checks and ban the sale and possession of assault weapons. Samantha Young, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Evergreen led 18-10 after one quarter and was up by 10 when Branham went on a 12-0 run in the second quarter to take the lead. Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024 The higher-register strings, brass, and vocals still take the lead, but the lows are too forward. PCMAG, 26 Jan. 2024 Governments can take the lead by championing a call for the launch of a UN International Decade for Data (IDD) starting in 2025. Tshilidzi Marwala, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take the lead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near 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 28 Mar. 2024.

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