lead on

/ liːd /

verb

1. tr, adverb to lure or entice, esp into trouble or wrongdoing

Idioms and Phrases

Entice someone into proceeding, mislead; also, deceive someone, especially pretending romantic interest. For example, He's leading her on to reveal more of her family history , or She's just leading him on; she has a serious boyfriend at home . [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

By tapping Harris to take the lead on the border, Silver argued that Biden handed the vice president "Democrats' worst issue."

From Salon

If you are taking him off with half an hour to go, how can you ask him to lead on the field?

From BBC

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced fresh climate change targets at a global summit, saying he wants the UK to lead on cutting emissions.

From BBC

“It goes to show that L.A. has to take the lead on how to win with a multiracial coalition on issues that matter, and fight like hell,” Soto-Martínez replied.

From Los Angeles Times

Some polls show Harris has drawn closer to Trump when voters are asked who would better handle the economy, but Trump has led on the issue in most surveys.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• be dishonest
• betray
• cheat
• circumvent
• defraud
• delude
• disappoint
• dupe
• entrap
• falsify
• fool
• hoodwink
• mislead
• swindle
• trick
• victimize