lead

Word family  noun lead leader leadership adjective lead leading verb lead

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

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lead1 /liːd/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle led /led/)  1  take SB somewhere 把某人带到某处 [intransitive, transitive usually + adverb/preposition]FIRST to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently 带路，领路；引领lead somebody to/into etc something A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair. 有位护士搀扶她坐到椅子上。 The horses were led to safety. 马匹被牵到安全的地方。lead somebody away/down etc She was led away from the courtroom in tears. 她哭着被带离法庭。 The manager led the way through the office. 经理带路穿过办公室。► see thesaurus at take2  go in front 走在前面 [intransitive, transitive] to go in front of a line of people or vehicles 〔走在前面〕(给…)带头，(为…)开路 A firetruck was leading the parade. 一辆消防车在游行队伍前面开道。3  be in charge 负责 [intransitive, transitive]IN CHARGE OF to be in charge of an organization, country, or team, or a group of people who are trying to do something 领导，率领，带领 He has led the party for over twenty years. 他领导该党已经二十多年了。 Some people say she is too old to lead the country (=be in charge of its government). 有人说，她年纪太大，领导不了国家。 Beckham led his team to victory. 贝克汉姆带领球队取得胜利。lead an investigation/inquiry/campaign The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe. 这次调查将由斯卡夫巡官指挥。 They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse. 他们正在领导一场运动，告诫青少年吸毒的危害。lead a revolt/rebellion/coup etc The rebellion was led by the King’s brother. 这场叛乱由国王的弟弟带头。lead an attack/assault Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front. 纳尔逊更喜欢在前线亲自率军作战。 a man who was born to lead 一个天生的领导人 a communist-led strike 一场由共产党领导的罢工4  cause STH to happen 使某事发生 [intransitive, transitive]CAUSE to cause something to happen or cause someone to do something 导致，造成lead to the events that led to the start of the First World War 导致第一次世界大战爆发的事件 A degree in English could lead to a career in journalism. 拿到英语专业学位可让你有机会从事新闻工作。lead somebody into something Her trusting nature often led her into trouble. 她容易轻信别人的性格经常使她遇到麻烦。lead somebody to do something What led him to kill his wife? 是什么原因让他杀了妻子？lead to somebody doing something His actions could lead to him losing his job. 他的行为会让他丢掉工作的。5  cause SB to believe STH 使某人相信某事 [transitive] to make someone believe something, especially something that is not true 使相信〔尤指不实之事〕lead somebody to believe/expect/understand something He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy. 他使每一个人都相信他家很富有。 The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect. 宾馆很差，和我们听了介绍后预想的样子根本不一样。 Our research led us to the conclusion that the present system is unfair. 研究使我们得出结论，现行制度并不公平。6  influence 影响 [transitive] to influence someone to make them do something that is wrong 引导，诱导〔某人做坏事〕，影响lead somebody into something His brother led him into a life of crime. 他哥哥带他走上了犯罪道路。 He’s not a bad boy. He’s just easily led (=it is easy for other people to persuade him to do things that he should not do). 他不是个坏孩子，只是容易被人带坏。7  be more successful 更加成功 [transitive]BEST to be more successful than other people, companies, or countries in a particular activity 领先lead the world/market/pack/field US companies lead the world in biotechnology. 美国公司在生物科技方面世界领先。lead the way (=be the first to do something, and show other people how to do it) 处于领先地位 The Swedes have led the way in data protection. 瑞典在数据保护方面处于领先地位。 → leading1(1)8  be winning 获胜 [intransitive, transitive]WIN to be winning a game, competition etc 〔比赛等中〕胜过，领先 OPP lose At half-time, Brazil led 1–0. 半场时巴西队以1比0领先。 With 15 laps to go, Schumacher led the race. 比赛还剩15圈的时候，舒马赫领先。5 The polls showed Clinton leading Bush 55 percent to 34 percent.民意测验显示，克林顿的支持率是55%，领先于布什的34%。n The polls showed Obama leading Romney by 3 percent.lead by ten points/two goals etc Nadal was leading by two sets. 纳达尔领先两盘。9  path/door etc 路/门等 [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition]JOIN something TOGETHER used to say where a path, wire etc goes or what place is on the other side of a door 通到，通往，通向lead to/towards The path led down to a small lake. 这条路通向一个小湖。lead from/out of the major artery leading from the heart 始于心脏的主动脉lead into the door leading into the hallway 通往门厅的门lead somebody to/into something The riverside path leads visitors to a small chapel. 河边小路把参观者带往一座小教堂。10  life 生活LIFE [transitive] if you lead a particular kind of life, that is what your life is like 过〔某种生活〕lead a normal/quiet/busy etc life If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life. 如果手术成功，卡莉将能过上正常的生活。 He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate). 他 过着一种神仙眷顾的生活。lead a life of luxury/poverty etc 过着奢侈/贫困等的生活lead the life of a ... She now leads the life of a recluse. 她现在过着隐居的生活。lead a double life (=deceive people by keeping different parts of your life separate and not letting anyone know the whole truth) 过着双面人的生活〔欺骗别人以隐瞒自己另一部分的生活〕 Joe had been leading a double life, seeing an ex-model while his wife believed he was on business. 乔过着双面人的生活: 他偷偷地和一名前模特幽会，而他妻子却以为他是在出差。 They lead a nomadic existence. 他们过着游牧生活。11  discussion etc 讨论等 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to control the way a discussion, conversation etc develops 引导〔讨论、谈话等〕 I tried to lead the conversation back to the subject of money. 我试图把谈话重新引到钱的问题上。12. lead somebody up the garden path informal to deliberately deceive someone 〔故意〕欺骗某人13  lead somebody astray a) to encourage someone to do bad or immoral things which they would not normally do 把某人引入歧途 b) to make someone believe something that is not true 误导某人14  lead nowhere/not lead anywhere to not produce any useful result 没有产生结果，毫无成果 So far police investigations seem to have led nowhere. 到现在为止，警方的调查好像毫无结果。15  lead by example to show the people you are in charge of what you want them to do by doing it yourself 以身作则 The best managers lead by example. 最优秀的管理人员都要以身作则。16  lead somebody by the nose to influence someone so much that you can completely control everything that they do 牵着某人的鼻子走，使某人完全听命于自己 Politicians think they can easily lead people by the nose. 政客以为他们能轻易牵着民众的鼻子走。17  this/that leads (me) to something used to introduce a new subject that is connected to the previous one 这(使我)引出某个问题 That leads me to my final point. Where are we going to get the money? 那使我想到最后一个问题。 我们到哪里去弄这笔钱？18. somebody has their own life to lead used to say that someone wants to be able to live their life independently, without having to do things that other people want them to do 某人有自己的生活要过19. lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance British English to cause a lot of problems or worries for someone 给某人造成许多麻烦；让某人忧心忡忡20  market-led/export-led etc EFFECT/INFLUENCEmost influenced by the market, by exports etc 由市场主导的/由出口主导的等 an export-led economic recovery 由出口主导的经济复苏21  lead the eye if a picture, view etc leads the eye in a particular direction, it makes you look in that direction 引领目光〔指画、风景等使人朝某个方向看〕 marble columns that lead the eye upward 吸引人们往上看的大理石柱子22. card game 纸牌戏 [intransitive, transitive]DGC to play a particular card as your first card in one part of a card game 首先出(某一张牌) THESAURUSlead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently 带领；引领Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. 蕾切尔把乔领进厨房。She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg. 她牵着一匹马，马好像伤了一条腿。take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc 带 〔某人去某地〕I took her to see a film. 我带她去看电影。Matt’s taking me in his car. 马特用他的车送我去。guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way 带路，引导Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town. 阿里领着我们穿街走巷，来到他位于城镇边缘的房子前。show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there 带，引〔某人去餐桌、酒店房间等〕A waitress showed us to our table. 一名女招待把我们带到桌前。We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre. 我们被带到剧院靠近前排的座位上。point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign 〔用手或标记〕指〔方向〕The sign back there pointed this way. 后面那块指示牌指的是这条路。escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way 护送；引导He was escorted from the court by police. 他由警察护送离开法庭。The president’s car will be escorted by a military convoy. 总统座驾将由军车车队护送。usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job 〔尤指作为某人的工作〕引入，领入，接入His housekeeper ushered us into the living room. 他的管家把我们引进客厅。shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people 带领〔一群人〕The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral. 警察引导成千上万的人进入大教堂的安全地带。direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere 给〔某人〕指路He directed us to a café a few blocks away. 他告诉我们怎样去几个街区之外的一家咖啡馆。Can you direct me to the station? 你能否告诉我去车站怎么走？ PHRASAL VERBS23 lead off phrasal verb a) START DOING somethingto start a meeting, discussion, performance etc by saying or doing something 〔以说或做某事〕开始 I’d like to lead off by thanking Rick for coming. 我首先要感谢里克的到来。 with The French team led off with two quick goals in the first five minutes. 比赛刚开始五分钟法国队就先攻入两球。lead something ↔ off Hal led the evening off with some folk songs. 哈尔唱了几首民歌来开启晚会。b) JOIN something TOGETHER lead off (something) if a road, room etc leads off a place, you can go directly from that place along that road, into that room etc 〔路、房间等〕连着，通向(某处)lead off from something He pointed down a street leading off from the square. 他沿从广场通出来的一条街指去。 a large room, with doors leading off it in all directions 一个大房间，有门通往各个方向c) to be the first player to try to hit the ball in an inning (=period of play) in a game of baseball 〔在棒球的一局中〕首先击球24 lead somebody on phrasal verb to deceive someone, especially to make them think you love them 〔尤指在男女感情上〕欺骗〔某人〕 He thought she loved him, but in fact she was just leading him on. 他以为她爱他，但实际上她只是在骗他。25 lead on to something (also lead onto something) phrasal verb especially British English to cause something to develop or become possible at a later time 促使，促成 Alan Turing’s work led onto the development of modern computers. 艾伦·图灵的工作促成了现代计算机的研制。26 lead with something phrasal verb a) if a newspaper or television programme leads with a particular story, that story is the main one 把…作为头条新闻 The ‘Washington Post’ leads with the latest news from Israel. 《华盛顿邮报》头版头条报道以色列的最新消息。b) to use a particular hand to begin an attack in boxing, or a particular foot to begin a dance 先出〔指拳击比赛中先出左拳或右拳，或跳舞时先出左脚或右脚〕 Adam led with his left and punched his opponent on the jaw. 亚当先出左拳，一拳打在对手的下巴上。27 lead up to something phrasal verb a) BEFOREif a series of events or a period of time leads up to an event, it comes before it or causes it 是…的先导；导致，引起，造成 the weeks that led up to her death 她死亡前的那几个星期 the events leading up to his dismissal 最终导致他被解雇的几件事b) INTRODUCEto gradually introduce an embarrassing, upsetting, or surprising subject into a conversation 渐渐引入〔令人尴尬、不安或惊讶的话题〕 She had already guessed what he was leading up to. 她已经猜出他要说什么了。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

lead• UN-led hostage negotiations• With two minutes to play, the Lakers are still leading.• Dr Jenkins leads a team of researchers at the Plant Institute.• The government, led by conservatives, has been unwilling to join the talks.• A group of 80 planes, led by Lieutenant Commander Egusha, was on its way to attack.• For many years, India's Congress Party was led by Mrs Indira Gandhi.• The drug raid was led by top officers.• Kato leads Cal in interceptions with three.• The police officer took her arm and led her gently away.• Juan led her slowly around the dance floor.• He led Julia through the house to his study.• Debbie always leads the conversation back around to herself.• Jaruzelski led the country's Communist regime for nine years.• 67% of voters said they would not trust him to lead the country.• Who is leading the investigation?• The high school band is leading the parade.• In silence, Roland led the way back to the car.• He led the way, his slim hips in the tight fitting pants snaking gracefully between the tables.• She opened the door, thinking it led to a bedroom.• One unexcused absence can lead to a ninety-day suspension of benefits; four unexcused absences can cause expulsion from welfare entirely.• This led to the second major set of issues, operation and maintenance at the local level.• He was killed in the assault soon after, but the information he had gained as a scout led to victory.• Our guide seemed to be leading us towards a wooded area in the distance.led to safety• Five people were rescued from their burning flat and 30 others were led to safety after thick smoke spread through the building.• The school's world-famous Lippizaner horses were led to safety in a park.lead the country• Recent reports have shown the North leads the country in provision of nursery places.• Mr. Shersby Is my hon. Friend aware that Hillingdon is leading the country in recognising parents' wishes?• Will you be leading the country into the next election.• Mr Dos Santos, an almost reclusive figure who has led the country since 1979, gave no reason for his decision.• Nyamwisi Movingi had resigned from this post on March 22, accusing the government of leading the country to disaster.lead to• That led to a breakup with his sweetheart, who could not understand what he candidly admitted was a thirst for glory.• Blaming often leads to complete breakdown in family communications.• And have your interactions with these people led to greater professional and personal fulfillment for all parties?• Between 1990 and 1992, there were more than 1,000 mergers in that industry-all of which led to job losses.• The mountains also prove to be a tourist attraction as some of the mountains experience alpine conditions which leads to ski resorts.• The proposal for a Severn barrage has also led to some public debate, chiefly on environment issues.• Yet this interventionism has not led to the creation of anything approaching an Executive Office.• The combination of all these factors led to the tragedy on pad 34.lead somebody to believe/expect/understand something• He'd stuck his neck out all right, but not as much as he'd led Holman to believe.• If something or some one is deliberately hidden from us what does this lead us to expect?• She did not appear from her expression as uncaring of this interruption as the maid would have led Lois to believe.• She was older than first glance had led Christina to believe.• The room was not as grand as the corridor had led them to expect, but it was of reasonable size.• There is no tangible information that would lead anyone to believe, in my view, that Sen.• Contrary to what some Democrats would lead you to believe, U. S. Sen.easily led• He is resistant to change, gullible and easily led.• Nervous, fidgety, changeable in mood, easily led.• Poor Col. He wasn't a bad boy, just easily led.• The talented people who make up Great Groups are not easily led.• It may sometimes make them seem indecisive and easily led, but it also bestows qualities of sensitivity, sympathy and empathy.• Often clients of licensed dealers who were genuinely interested in options would be easily led into warrants.• We are so easily led to pernicious solutions.lead the world/market/pack/field• But it was our television which led the world and that was largely built on great writing on contemporary themes.• The same computer and communications stocks that lead the market down all day, lead it back up in the 90 minutes.• The commentator even remarked on the fact that the two loose horses leading the field had caused no hindrance.• Commercial banks, including trusts, led the market lower.• The satisfaction of leading the world's finest professionals was short-lived, but Jim Thorpe will never forget that 24 hours.• Neither needed the United States leading the world to higher interest rates.• His answer to this question led the world to the development of the free-enterprise sys-tem.lead to/towards• Objects ought to lead to investigations about the society that produced them and the people who used them.• That accident led to speed restrictions and disruption throughout Britain's rail network during an emergency program of replacing cracked rails.• And it is proven to lead to stronger, more solid bones, relieve tension, depression and insomnia.• The road that led to the hospital sloped upwards through a forest of pine trees.• And it is that competition that led to the invention of gender.• These demanding situations lead to the notion that eating lunch is an indulgence.• These stages are like the treads of a stairway leading to the truth.• Or the research could go anywhere and lead to the unexpected!lead a normal/quiet/busy etc life• I long to go back, but I must let them lead normal lives.• It may be the only chance the ten year old child will have of leading a normal life.• Mendl will give me a home, he wants children, he wants to lead a normal life.• So long as the proper dose of insulin is administered on a regular basis, diabetics can generally lead normal lives.• Some have since returned and lead quiet lives.• He now leads a busy life as an honorary chaplain in York Minster.

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lead2 ●●○ S3 W2 noun  1  the lead WINthe first position in a race or competition 领先地位 She was in the lead from start to finish. 从头到尾都是她领先。 The Canadians went into the lead after only 30 seconds. 才过30秒，加拿大队就取得了领先。 The goal put Holland into the lead. 这个进球使荷兰队比分领先。 The Bears took the lead for the first time this season. 本赛季熊队首次成为领头羊。2  [singular] the amount or distance by which one competitor is ahead of another 〔数量或距离的〕超前量，领先程度 The Chicago Bulls had a narrow lead (=were winning by a small number of points). 芝加哥公牛队以微弱优势领先。lead over The Socialists now have a commanding lead over their opponents. 社会党现在遥遥领先于对手。3  [singular]EXAMPLE if someone follows someone else’s lead, they do the same as the other person has done 带头作用，榜样 Other countries are likely to follow the U.S.'s lead. 其他国家很可能会效法美国。 The Government should give industry a lead in tackling racism (=show what other people should do). 政府在处理种族歧视问题上应该为企业树立榜样。 The black population in the 1960s looked to Ali for a lead (=looked to him to show them what they should do). 20世纪60年代的黑人视阿里为黑人的楷模。4  take the lead (in doing something) to be the first to start doing something or be most active in doing something 带头(做某事) The U.S. took the lead in declaring war on terrorism. 美国带头向恐怖主义宣战。5  [countable]INFORMATION a piece of information that may help you to solve a crime or mystery 〔破案或解开谜底的〕线索 SYN clue The police have checked out dozens of leads, but have yet to find the killer. 警方核查了许许多多的线索，但还是没有找到杀人凶手。6  APTAM[countable] the main acting part in a play, film etc, or the main actor 主角；主要演员play the lead/the lead role 鲍尔斯被选中饰演主角。 He will play the lead role in ‘Hamlet’. 他将主演《哈姆雷特》。 Powers was cast in the lead role (=he was chosen to play it). 鲍尔斯被选中饰演主角。the male/female lead They were having trouble casting the female lead. 他们难以选定女主角。 the film’s romantic lead 影片中浪漫多情的主角7  lead singer/guitarist etc the main singer, guitarist etc in a group 主唱/首席吉他手等lead singer/guitarist etc of/with the lead singer of Nirvana 涅槃乐队的主唱8  [countable] British EnglishDHP a piece of rope, leather, or chain for holding or controlling a dog 〔牵狗的〕绳子，皮带，链子 SYN leashon a lead All dogs must be kept on a lead. 所有的狗都必须系牵狗带。9. [countable] British EnglishDT a wire used to connect a piece of electrical equipment to the power supply 导线，引线，连接线 SYN American English cord → jump leadsn COLLOCATIONSverbsbe in the leadHe was in the lead after the first lap of the race.have the leadHe has a one-shot lead in the golf tournament.take the lead (=start being in the lead instead of someone else)Lewis Hamilton has just taken the lead in the Monaco Grand Prix.put somebody in the lead (=make someone be in the lead)Ronaldo’s goal put Portugal in the lead.give somebody the lead (=make someone be in the lead)A goal in the 10th minute gave England the lead.extend/increase/stretch somebody’s lead (=make the lead bigger)The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.throw away a lead (=to lose the lead)Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead.blow a lead informal (=to lose the lead)They managed to blow a 22-point lead.share the lead (=when more than one player or team is in the lead )At the end of the first round, two golfers share the lead.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + lead a big leadThe Bruins had a big lead at half-time.a clear leadThe ruling Labour Party has a clear lead in the opinion polls.a comfortable lead (=a big lead)The Wildcats had a comfortable lead in the first half.a commanding lead (=a big lead)Alonso raced into a commanding lead.an early lead (=a lead early in a game, election etc)Liverpool took an early lead with a goal from Steven Gerrard.a one-shot/two-goal/three point etc lead (=a lead of a specific amount)Goals by Keane and Lennon gave Tottenham a two-goal lead.

Examples from the Corpus

lead• Two-goal Dave Mitchell fired Swindon into an early lead.• There were no clues, no leads, no moves to be made.• The police have no leads in the murder investigation.• Tucker got a belly full of lead.• High levels of lead were discovered in the soil in Skagway.• The wall was covered with scrawls done with a bit of pencil lead.• We got our cherry popped that day, and my platoon was in the lead.• Who's playing the lead in the school play?lead over• Virginia holds a 12-game lead over Kentucky.follow ... lead• He hesitated, but followed my lead.• But he is not the leader of any faction or group of lawmakers who would naturally follow his lead, lawmakers said.• I hope other historians will now follow his lead.• A few other protestors followed her lead.• He jerked his head for Langford to follow, and led the way out of the office.• It includes a petition urging fellow purists to follow his lead.• His eyes narrowed slightly but he started the second verse in the minor key she was using, following her lead.• It is likely that they will follow London's lead and also exempt motorcycles from any charges. the male/female lead• Glenda Jackson had already been approached for the female lead.• Sam, 26, played the female lead in a version of the movie hit Grease.• She was the female lead and therefore a rival.• So far no progress with the female lead.on a lead• Research began on lead objects from the Roman era, lead ingots, and so on.• He had Ben with him, on a lead.• They keep it on a lead, away from the sheep.• Your 90 2.5 petrol will run perfectly on lead free petrol with no alteration.• The Department of Transport report on lead in petrol in July 1979 made a similar statement.• Experiments have shown that the most flawless surfaces are produced by carrying out the final lapping stages on a lead lap.• Switching on leads you straight to Channel 2.• Running back Garrison Hearst sustained a left shoulder stinger when he crashed into linebacker Jesse Tuggle on a lead block.

Related topics: Elements

lead3 /led/ noun  1. [uncountable]HCE a soft heavy grey metal that melts easily and is poisonous, used on roofs, or in the past for water pipes. It is a chemical element: symbol Pb 铅〔一种化学元素，符号为Pb〕2. [countable, uncountable]DAVP the central part of a pencil that makes the marks when you write 铅笔芯3. go down like a lead balloon informalDON'T LIKE if a suggestion or joke goes down like a lead balloon, people do not like it at all 〔建议或笑话〕没有引起反应4  [uncountable] American English old-fashionedSHOOT bullets 子弹 They filled him full of lead. 他们向他扫射。5  leads [plural] a) TBCsheets of lead used for covering a roof 〔盖屋顶用的〕铅片 b) TBBnarrow pieces of lead used for holding small pieces of glass together to form a window 〔固定小块窗玻璃的〕铅框

Examples from the Corpus

lead• All these increase costs and lead to economic inefficiency.• Two-goal Dave Mitchell fired Swindon into an early lead.• There were no clues, no leads, no moves to be made.• We got our cherry popped that day, and my platoon was in the lead.• One of the lead negotiators in the Liggett talks said a possible deal was still moving forward.From Longman Business Dictionaryleadlead1 /liːd/ verb (past participle led /led/) [transitive]1to be in charge of something such as an important activity, a group of people, or an organizationThe manager had led a series of projects that improved productivity in his region.a new management team led by Roger Shute2to be more successful than other people, companies, or countries in a particular activity or area of businessPrinting banknotes is one area where Britain leads the world.a company that leads the field in software applications3to happen before something elseTypically, stockmarkets lead the recovery of the real economy by four to six months.4lead the way to be the first to do something, especially something good or successful, which is likely to encourage others to do the same thingLarge grocery multiples and the oil companies have led the way in retail modelling. → see also -led→ See Verb tableleadlead2 noun1[countable]MARKETING a piece of information such as a list of telephone numbers that may help someone selling something to find customersThe in-house sales team deals with all telephone sales leads.2[singular]COMMERCE when you are in front of or better than everyone else you are competing withThe company has a substantial lead over its main competitors.Origin lead1 Old English lædan

lead1 verb →10-22
→THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1lead2 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1lead3 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese  

them of Business take someone somewhere to Corpus front by in going

lead

I

lead¹ S1 W1 /liːd/ verb (past tense and past participle led /led/)1.  TAKE SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE  [intransitive and transitive] to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently
    lead somebody to/into etc something
    A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair.
    The horses were led to safety.
    lead somebody away/down etc
    She was led away from the courtroom in tears.
    The manager led the way through the office.
2.  GO IN FRONT  [intransitive and transitive] to go in front of a line of people or vehicles:
    A firetruck was leading the parade.
3.  BE IN CHARGE  [intransitive and transitive] to be in charge of an organization, country, or team, or a group of people who are trying to do something:
    He has led the party for over twenty years.
    Some people say she is too old to lead the country (=be in charge of its government).
    Beckham led his team to victory.
    lead an investigation/inquiry/campaign
    The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe.
    They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.
    lead a revolt/rebellion/coup etc
    The rebellion was led by the King’s brother.
    lead an attack/assault
    Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front.
    a man who was born to lead
    a communist-led strike
4.  CAUSE SOMETHING TO HAPPEN  [intransitive and transitive] to cause something to happen or cause someone to do something
    lead to
    the events that led to the start of the First World War
    A degree in English could lead to a career in journalism.
    lead somebody into something
    Her trusting nature often led her into trouble.
    lead somebody to do something
    What led him to kill his wife?
    lead to somebody doing something
    His actions could lead to him losing his job.
5.  CAUSE SOMEBODY TO BELIEVE SOMETHING  [transitive] to make someone believe something, especially something that is not true
    lead somebody to believe/expect/understand something
    He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy.
    The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect.
    Our research led us to the conclusion that the present system is unfair.
6.  INFLUENCE  [transitive] to influence someone to make them do something that is wrong
    lead somebody into something
    His brother led him into a life of crime.
    He’s not a bad boy. He’s just easily led (=it is easy for other people to persuade him to do things that he should not do).
7.  BE MORE SUCCESSFUL  [transitive] to be more successful than other people, companies, or countries in a particular activity
    lead the world/market/pack/field
    US companies lead the world in biotechnology.
    lead the way (=be the first to do something, and show other people how to do it)
    The Swedes have led the way in data protection. ⇨ leading¹(1)
8.  BE WINNING  [intransitive and transitive] to be winning a game, competition etc
   OPP  lose:
    At half-time, Brazil led 1–0.
    With 15 laps to go, Schumacher led the race.
    The polls showed Clinton leading Bush 55 percent to 34 percent.
    lead by ten points/two goals etc
    Nadal was leading by two sets.
9.  PATH/DOOR ETC  [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say where a path, wire etc goes or what place is on the other side of a door
    lead to/towards
    The path led down to a small lake.
    lead from/out of
    the major artery leading from the heart
    lead into
    the door leading into the hallway
    lead somebody to/into something
    The riverside path leads visitors to a small chapel.
10.  LIFE  [transitive] if you lead a particular kind of life, that is what your life is like
    lead a normal/quiet/busy etc life
    If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life.
    He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate).
    lead a life of luxury/poverty etc
    lead the life of a ...
    She now leads the life of a recluse.
    lead a double life (=deceive people by keeping different parts of your life separate and not letting anyone know the whole truth)
    Joe had been leading a double life, seeing an ex-model while his wife believed he was on business.
    They lead a nomadic existence.
11.  DISCUSSION ETC  [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to control the way a discussion, conversation etc develops:
    I tried to lead the conversation back to the subject of money.
12. lead somebody up the garden path informal to deliberately deceive someone
13. lead somebody astray
  a. to encourage someone to do bad or immoral things which they would not normally do
  b. to make someone believe something that is not true
14. lead nowhere/not lead anywhere to not produce any useful result:
    So far police investigations seem to have led nowhere.
15. lead by example to show the people you are in charge of what you want them to do by doing it yourself:
    The best managers lead by example.
16. lead somebody by the nose to influence someone so much that you can completely control everything that they do:
    Politicians think they can easily lead people by the nose.
17. this/that leads (me) to something used to introduce a new subject that is connected to the previous one:
    That leads me to my final point. Where are we going to get the money?
18. somebody has their own life to lead used to say that someone wants to be able to live their life independently, without having to do things that other people want them to do
19. lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance British English to cause a lot of problems or worries for someone
20. market-led/export-led etc most influenced by the market, by exports etc:
    an export-led economic recovery
21. lead the eye if a picture, view etc leads the eye in a particular direction, it makes you look in that direction:
    marble columns that lead the eye upward
22.  CARD GAME  [intransitive and transitive] to play a particular card as your first card in one part of a card game
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ lead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently: Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. | She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.
   ▪ take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc: I took her to see a film. | Matt’s taking me in his car.
   ▪ guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way: Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.
   ▪ show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there: A waitress showed us to our table. | We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.
   ▪ point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign: The sign back there pointed this way.
   ▪ escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way: He was escorted from the court by police. | The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.
   ▪ usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job: His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.
   ▪ shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people: The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.
   ▪ direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere: He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away. | Can you direct me to the station?
     
lead off phrasal verb
  1. to start a meeting, discussion, performance etc by saying or doing something:
    I’d like to lead off by thanking Rick for coming.
    lead off with
    The French team led off with two quick goals in the first five minutes.
    lead something ↔ off
    Hal led the evening off with some folk songs.
  2. lead off (something) if a road, room etc leads off a place, you can go directly from that place along that road, into that room etc
    lead off from something
    He pointed down a street leading off from the square.
    a large room, with doors leading off it in all directions
  3. to be the first player to try to hit the ball in an inning (=period of play) in a game of baseball
lead somebody on phrasal verb
  to deceive someone, especially to make them think you love them:
    He thought she loved him, but in fact she was just leading him on.
lead on to something (also lead onto something) phrasal verb especially British English
  to cause something to develop or become possible at a later time:
    Alan Turing’s work led onto the development of modern computers.
lead with something phrasal verb
  1. if a newspaper or television programme leads with a particular story, that story is the main one:
    The Washington Post leads with the latest news from Israel.
  2. to use a particular hand to begin an attack in boxing, or a particular foot to begin a dance:
    Adam led with his left and punched his opponent on the jaw.
lead up to something phrasal verb [not in passive]
  1. if a series of events or a period of time leads up to an event, it comes before it or causes it:
    the weeks that led up to her death
    the events leading up to his dismissal
  2. to gradually introduce an embarrassing, upsetting, or surprising subject into a conversation:
    She had already guessed what he was leading up to.

II

lead² S2 W2 noun
1. the lead the first position in a race or competition:
    She was in the lead from start to finish.
    The Canadians went into the lead after only 30 seconds.
    The goal put Holland into the lead.
    The Bears took the lead for the first time this season.
2. [singular] the amount or distance by which one competitor is ahead of another:
    The Chicago Bulls had a narrow lead (=were winning by a small number of points).
    lead over
    The Socialists now have a commanding lead over their opponents.
3. [singular] if someone follows someone else’s lead, they do the same as the other person has done:
    Other countries are likely to follow the U.S.'s lead.
    The Government should give industry a lead in tackling racism (=show what other people should do).
    The black population in the 1960s looked to Ali for a lead (=looked to him to show them what they should do).
4. take the lead (in doing something) to be the first to start doing something or be most active in doing something:
    The U.S. took the lead in declaring war on terrorism.
5. [countable] a piece of information that may help you to solve a crime or mystery
   SYN  clue:
    The police have checked out dozens of leads, but have yet to find the killer.
6. [countable] the main acting part in a play, film etc, or the main actor
    play the lead/the lead role
    He will play the lead role in Hamlet.
    Powers was cast in the lead role (=he was chosen to play it).
    the male/female lead
    They were having trouble casting the female lead.
    the film’s romantic lead
7. lead singer/guitarist etc the main singer, guitarist etc in a group
    lead singer/guitarist etc of/with
    the lead singer of Nirvana
8. [countable] British English a piece of rope, leather, or chain for holding or controlling a dog
   SYN  leash
    on a lead
    All dogs must be kept on a lead.
9. [countable] British English a wire used to connect a piece of electrical equipment to the power supply
   SYN  cord American English ⇨ jump leads
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ be in the lead He was in the lead after the first lap of the race.
   ▪ have the lead He has a one-shot lead in the golf tournament.
   ▪ take the lead (=start being in the lead instead of someone else) Lewis Hamilton has just taken the lead in the Monaco Grand Prix.
   ▪ put somebody in the lead (=make someone be in the lead) Ronaldo’s goal put Portugal in the lead.
   ▪ give somebody the lead (=make someone be in the lead) A goal in the 10th minute gave England the lead.
   ▪ extend/increase/stretch sb’s lead (=make the lead bigger) The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.
   ▪ throw away a lead (=to lose the lead) Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead.
   ▪ blow a lead informal (=to lose the lead) They managed to blow a 22-point lead.
   ▪ share the lead (=when more than one player or team is in the lead ) At the end of the first round, two golfers share the lead.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + lead
   ▪ a big lead The Bruins had a big lead at half-time.
   ▪ a clear lead The ruling Labour Party has a clear lead in the opinion polls.
   ▪ a comfortable lead (=a big lead) The Wildcats had a comfortable lead in the first half.
   ▪ a commanding lead (=a big lead) Alonso raced into a commanding lead.
   ▪ an early lead (=a lead early in a game, election etc) Liverpool took an early lead with a goal from Steven Gerrard.
   ▪ a one-shot/two-goal/three point etc lead (=a lead of a specific amount) Goals by Keane and Lennon gave Tottenham a two-goal lead.

III

lead³ /led/ noun

1. [uncountable] a soft heavy grey metal that melts easily and is poisonous, used to cover roofs, or in the past, for water pipes. It is a chemical element: symbol Pb
2. [uncountable and countable] the central part of a pencil that makes the marks when you write
3. go down like a lead balloon informal if a suggestion or joke goes down like a lead balloon, people do not like it at all
4. [uncountable] American English old-fashioned bullets:
    They filled him full of lead.
5. leads [plural]
  a. sheets of lead used for covering a roof
  b. narrow pieces of lead used for holding small pieces of glass together to form a window