# lead on

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lead-on
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To mislead, to try to make someone believe a lie.

## Examples

- He is just leading you on because he likes the attention.
- She realized he was leading her on when she saw him out with someone else.
- By offering false promises of a promotion, the manager led on his employees for months before finally admitting the company was failing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.