take the lead

idiom

: to take a position that is ahead of others : go first

You take the lead and we'll follow right behind you.

: 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 figuratively

Their company has taken the lead in developing this new technology.

Examples of take the lead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Itzel's leadership and skills in her media and cinema class led her to take the lead on being the videographer or camerawoman for the production of these four films. —

Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 20 Dec. 2024 The newspaper reported Trump as saying European personnel should take the lead in protecting Ukraine. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 The Brit made several brave attempts to take the lead while Verstappen fiercely defended – actions from both drivers threatened to venture into the ‘reckless’ category. —

Sam Joseph, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 Axios is told two very close aides — deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, First Lady Jill Biden's top adviser — will take the lead on planning for a presidential library, likely in Delaware. —

Axios, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for take the lead

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“Take the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20lead. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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