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 understudies take the lead this Thursday.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Dallas outshot Detroit 13-5 in the second period and scored twice to take the lead.
—CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
This Bay State Herget-Cape & Islands matchup started slow with even possessions in the Vineyarders’ and Wildcat zones until Milton freshman Mia Catarazulo snuck one in the upper right corner to have the ‘Cats take the lead at the 12-minute mark in the first period.
—Patrick Plunkett, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Then, nine plays and 89 yards later, Rhamondre Stevenson, who had to handle most of the running back workload after TreVeyon Henderson left with an injury during the game, broke out a 21-yard run to take the lead, 28-24.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Dallas outshot Detroit 13-5 in the second period and scored twice to take the lead.
—CBS News, 24 Dec. 2025
This Bay State Herget-Cape & Islands matchup started slow with even possessions in the Vineyarders’ and Wildcat zones until Milton freshman Mia Catarazulo snuck one in the upper right corner to have the ‘Cats take the lead at the 12-minute mark in the first period.
—Patrick Plunkett, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Then, nine plays and 89 yards later, Rhamondre Stevenson, who had to handle most of the running back workload after TreVeyon Henderson left with an injury during the game, broke out a 21-yard run to take the lead, 28-24.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 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 31 Dec. 2025.
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