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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Immediate action is needed, and the Biden administration must take the lead. Patrick Gaspard, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023 Mark Sears grabbed the late offensive rebound and Alabama had a chance late to tie or take the lead late. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2023 In a tense, back-and-forth game during the final 10 minutes, Soares delivered the knockout after OSU missed a chance to take the lead. oregonlive, 25 Feb. 2023 Trailing by two at the half, the Titans (13-8) opened the third quarter on a 13-0 run to take the lead, keyed by three triples from Ferreira, who finished with 14 points. Mike Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Feb. 2023 The White House has so far hesitated to take the lead on updating these regulations for fear of pushback from the rail industry. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023 Dave Grohl, an 18-time Grammy winner, also went up to accept the award, but let his former colleague take the lead. Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2023 The challenge was not only to raise awareness of what had been an arcane subject, but to take the lead with substantive action in pushing back against those who would weaponize Americans’ pension and investment dollars to advance a political agenda. Derek A. Kreifels, National Review, 2 Feb. 2023 Greater Clevelanders are divided and largely unsure about who should take the lead on improving the lakefront in a cleveland.com-Baldwin Wallace poll. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 21 Dec. 2022 See More

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 9 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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