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
The touchdown came one possession after Toney fumbled the ball near midfield, which gave Texas A&M an opportunity to potentially take the lead.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
The bill has a significant number of co-sponsors and would allow federal law enforcement to take the lead on investigating and prosecuting crime rings behind the theft.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 Dec. 2025
The turnover set up three straight touchdown drives by Denver to take the lead, and the game.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
For a glimpse of who’s likely to take the lead in this next era for the Fortune 500, check out theFortune Next to Lead list that’s out this morning.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
The bill has a significant number of co-sponsors and would allow federal law enforcement to take the lead on investigating and prosecuting crime rings behind the theft.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 Dec. 2025
The turnover set up three straight touchdown drives by Denver to take the lead, and the game.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
For a glimpse of who’s likely to take the lead in this next era for the Fortune 500, check out theFortune Next to Lead list that’s out this morning.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 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 28 Dec. 2025.
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