lead someone up the garden path
To deceive, hoodwink, mislead, or seduce someone.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He led me up the garden path about the car's condition.”
“I think my friends are leading me up the garden path about this surprise.”
“The salesman led the customer up the garden path by promising features that the basic model did not actually include.”
“The politician led the voters up the garden path by promising lower taxes while secretly planning to increase the cost of public services.”
“You shouldn't lead your date up the garden path if you have no intention of calling them back for a second meeting next week.”
“She realized too late that her business partner had led her up the garden path, leaving her with all the debt and none of the profits.”
disputed origin
The idiom is probably a reference to the winding, indirect nature of a garden path as opposed to a straight road. The expression emerged in the early 20th century, though the exact circumstances of its coinage remain unrecorded. It suggests the act of diverting an individual's attention with pleasant surroundings while moving toward an unintended destination.
- 01
all roads lead to Rome
Different paths can take one to the same goal.
- 02
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 03
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 04
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 05
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 06
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
Last updated August 10, 2026