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
That tied the game, but the Yankees couldn’t take the lead after Volpe flew out to center and Escarra struck out.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025
But at the last minute, Joshua collides with Lewis Hamilton (also an F1 producer), leaving the door open for Sonny to take the lead — and the win.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 June 2025
In the sixth and seventh innings — down one and two runs, respectively — the Angels had opportunities to take the lead or tie the score with runners in scoring position, but failed to capitalize.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
The move set the stage for Combs’ all-star defense team to take the lead.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025
But at the last minute, Joshua collides with Lewis Hamilton (also an F1 producer), leaving the door open for Sonny to take the lead — and the win.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 June 2025
In the sixth and seventh innings — down one and two runs, respectively — the Angels had opportunities to take the lead or tie the score with runners in scoring position, but failed to capitalize.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
The move set the stage for Combs’ all-star defense team to take the lead.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 June 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 14 Jul. 2025.
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