One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
1Go first along a route to show someone the way.
guide, conduct, show the wayView synonyms
- ‘He would accompany them to the airport in the Embassy van and lead the way through customs.’
- ‘They led the way to a heavy door at the far end and ushered me in.’
- ‘Lauren led the way through the house, while Angela and Jake tagged along behind her.’
- ‘Turning back, I let Charles lead the way, laughing along with him and feeling the chilly wind on my damp skin.’
- ‘She shrugs without much enthusiasm then leads the way along a narrow hallway.’
- ‘Lance, still bursting with enthusiasm, led the way along the perimeter fence.’
- ‘With Simon leading the way, the group of women made their way along the corridor.’
- ‘The two men led the way and Heather tagged along behind them, still trying to look everywhere at once.’
- ‘A local guide will lead the way, entertaining them with tales of folklore and mystery associated with the area.’
- ‘Businessman John Innes leads the way along a narrow dirt track, overgrown with chest-high grass and twisting vines, illustrating immediately the attraction to tourists keen to see for themselves the scenes of war.’
- 1.1 Be a pioneer in a particular activity.
take the first step, initiate things, break ground, break new ground, blaze a trail, lay the foundation, lay the first stone, set in motion, prepare the way, set the ball rolling, take the initiative, make the first move, make a startView synonyms
- ‘The US is leading the way, both in development of technology and take-up rates of internet commerce.’
- ‘We want to build a Europe that leads the way in the cancellation of debt in the developing world, that is nuclear free, that protects the environment and that welcomes and trades fairly with other regions.’
- ‘Four York primary schools are leading the way in developing methods of teaching foreign languages to young children.’
- ‘It'd be nice to see Texas leading the way in developing a great train system.’
- ‘There are pockets of hopeful activity, both provincial and federal, with farmers leading the way.’
- ‘He also said, we'd be leading the way for new development in science for years to come.’
- ‘They are leading the way and I only hope other institutions will follow suit.’
- ‘And as is often the case, where popular culture leads the way, the more conservative institutions in a society follow eventually.’
- ‘The international economic institutions should lead the way.’
- ‘At present Europe leads the way in developing alternative and sustainable energy and in designing energy-efficient technologies from central heating to hi-fi systems.’
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