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
Then, a full moon in Aquarius on Aug. 9 illuminates your 10th house of career, offering the perfect opportunity to wrap up a project or take the lead.
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Furthermore, the industry must take the lead in educating consumers about the limitations of these systems.
—Mark Pittman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
By way of comparison, after Joe Biden took office in 2021, Republicans didn't take the lead in Real Clear Politics averages until November of that year.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Europe has never had a more auspicious moment to take the lead in continental defense.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Furthermore, the industry must take the lead in educating consumers about the limitations of these systems.
—Mark Pittman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
By way of comparison, after Joe Biden took office in 2021, Republicans didn't take the lead in Real Clear Politics averages until November of that year.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Europe has never had a more auspicious moment to take the lead in continental defense.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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