lead

Universal Words verb, noun-see also LEAD verb (led, led ) show the way 1 to go with or in front of a person or an animal to show the way or to make them go in the right direction: [VN, +adv./prep.] He led us out into the grounds. * The receptionist led the way to the boardroom. * She led the horse back into the stable. * (figurative) I tried to lead the discussion back to the main issue. * [V] If you lead, I'll follow. connect two things 2 [V] ~ from / to sth (to / from sth) to connect one object or place to another: the pipe leading from the top of the water tank * The wire led to a speaker. of road / path / door 3 [+adv./prep.] to go in a particular direction or to a particular place: [V] A path led up the hill. * Which door leads to the yard? * [VN] The track led us through a wood. cause 4 [V] ~ to sth to have sth as a result: Eating too much sugar can lead to health problems. * A reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. 5 ~ sb (to sth) to be the reason why sb does or thinks sth: [VN] What led you to this conclusion? * He's too easily led (= easily persuaded to do or think sth). * [VNtoinf] This has led scientists to speculate on the existence of other galaxies. * The situation is far worse than we had been led to believe. life 6 [VN] to have a particular type of life: to lead a quiet life / a life of luxury / a miserable existence be best / first 7 ~ (sb/sth) (in sth) to be the best at sth; to be in first place: [VN] The department led the world in cancer research. * We lead the way in space technology. * [V, VN] The champion is leading (her nearest rival) by 18 seconds. be in control 8 to be in control of sth; to be the leader of sth: [VN] to lead an army / an expedition * to lead a discussion * Who will lead the party in the next election? [also V] in card games 9 to play first; to play sth as your first card: [V] It's your turn to lead. * [VN] to lead trumps / the ten of clubs IDIOMS lead sb by the nose to make sb do everything you want; to control sb completely lead (sb) nowhere to have no successful result for sb: This discussion is leading us nowhere. lead sb a (merry) dance (BrE) to cause sb a lot of trouble or worry lead from the front to take an active part in what you are telling or persuading others to do lead sb up / down the garden path to deceive sb moreatBLINDadj., THING PHRASALVERBS lead off (from) sth to start at a place and go away from it: narrow streets leading off from the main square lead off