1
general::
1. Act as a guide, go in advance of others. For example, We asked Tom to lead the way, since he'd hiked this mountain before. [c. 1200] 2. Be first or most prominent in some field or action, as in Our teacher led the way in finding new methods of teaching algebra. [Late 1600s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): lead the way
to lead (someone) along the proper pathway. • You lead the way, and we’ll follow. • I feel better when you’re leading the way. I get lost easily.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs