english
1
general::
lead up to sth
HAPPEN
1. If a period of time or series of events leads up to an event or activity, it happens until that event or activity begins
• The pilot had no recollection of the events leading up to the crash., lead to sth
If an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist
• Reducing speed limits should lead to fewer deaths on the roads., lead sb on
disapproving
to persuade someone to believe something that is untrue
• All that time she'd been leading him on (= pretending she liked him) , but she was only interested in his money., lead up to sth
TALK
2. to prepare to talk about something by gradually mentioning the subject you want to talk about
• He started telling me about a wonderful new restaurant he'd been to and I wondered what he was leading up to.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with LEAD, Also see ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME; BLIND LEADING THE BLIND; GET THE LEAD OUT OF; GO OVER (LIKE A LEAD BALLOON); PUT LEAD IN ONE'S PENCIL; YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
lead
to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently:
• Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. • She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.
take
to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc:
• I took her to see a film. • Matt’s taking me in his car.
guide
to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way:
• Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.
show
to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there:
• A waitress showed us to our table. • We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.
point
to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign:
• The sign back there pointed this way.
escort
to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way:
• He was escorted from the court by police. • The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.
usher
to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job:
• His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.
shepherd
to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people:
• The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.
direct
formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere:
• He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away. • Can you direct me to the station?
Longman-Thesaurus
4
general::
Phrase(s): lead someone or something (away) (from someone or something)
to direct or guide someone or something away from someone or something. • The officer led the victim’s wife away from the accident. • The trainer led away the dog from the other animals. • We led them away.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
5
general::
verb
guide:
Will you lead us to water?
verb
conduct:
I will lead the orchestra.
verb
surpass:
We'll lead the nation in production.
noun
first place:
Japan has the lead in cameras.
noun
type of metal:
Lead is used in storage batteries.
Simple Definitions