take the lead
To become the leader, to advance into first place.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You should take the lead on this project.”
“Our team was losing, but the captain took the lead after scoring two quick goals.”
“By proposing a bold new strategy during the crisis, the young manager took the lead and guided the company toward stability.”
- 01
all roads lead to Rome
Different paths can take one to the same goal.
- 02
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 03
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 04
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 05
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 06
get the lead out
To go faster; to hurry up.
- 07
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 08
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
Last updated August 10, 2026