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
In the first, middles Liam Raybould (four kills, four blocks) and Luka Gallucci (two blocks) excelled at the net to help spark a 6-0 run to take the lead before closing the frame by winning eight of the last 11 points.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
In it, Blanche outlines a decentralized approach in which U.S. attorney’s offices will now take the lead on digital asset cases, focusing primarily on crimes involving terrorism.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
From instant responses and providing product information to guiding customers through processes and scheduling appointments, AI chatbots and virtual assistants can take the lead on straightforward requests.
—Bill Geary, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Sixty-four percent expect humans and AI to work side by side, with only 21% predicting AI will take the lead role.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
In it, Blanche outlines a decentralized approach in which U.S. attorney’s offices will now take the lead on digital asset cases, focusing primarily on crimes involving terrorism.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
From instant responses and providing product information to guiding customers through processes and scheduling appointments, AI chatbots and virtual assistants can take the lead on straightforward requests.
—Bill Geary, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Sixty-four percent expect humans and AI to work side by side, with only 21% predicting AI will take the lead role.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes, 10 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 2025.
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