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
Corona del Mar used some trickery to take the lead on the ensuing possession.
—
Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Jack Lambert helped the Trojans take the lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Caiden Blake with under four minutes left.
—Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Additionally, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels was the primary reason KU remained in the game, yet he wasn’t given the opportunity to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
With one last chance to take the lead, Salaün missed a good look at the rim and a reload, step back 3 as the Storm iced the game on the final possession with a stop.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Jack Lambert helped the Trojans take the lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Caiden Blake with under four minutes left.
—Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Additionally, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels was the primary reason KU remained in the game, yet he wasn’t given the opportunity to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
With one last chance to take the lead, Salaün missed a good look at the rim and a reload, step back 3 as the Storm iced the game on the final possession with a stop.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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