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Glite Dictionary
🚩 First place 🥇 Ahead in competition 🏆 Winning position
in the lead

in the lead

24 2.7
In a first position that gives an advantage in a competition
  • idiom
translation icon : en cabeza
  • In the lead after 15 laps is Scott Stoddard... but he's losing ground now.
  • still in the lead
  • stay in the lead
  • put us in the lead

And the one of my partner's, the guy who was the right seat in the lead vehicle who goes by Duck or did at the time, went by call sign Duck, former SEAL.

Examples

  • After the first round of voting, the candidate was in the lead with the most votes.

  • Eddie tries to stay in the lead but is running out of breath.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The perennial favorite teams are up in the lead group of this race.

    Breaking Away (1979)

  • Josh and Toby are still in the lead with six points.

  • At the end of the fifth lap, Barlini's in the lead by five seconds.

    Grand Prix (1966)

  • Captain Malcolm is still in the lead, flanked by two young men who are obviously brothers.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • In the lead are Aron and Stoddard.

    Grand Prix (1966)

  • At the end of the race, she finished in the lead ahead of all her competitors.

  • The team has been in the lead for most of the season, setting a record for wins.

Synonyms

ahead
vsin the lead
690 1.0

In a leading position with a higher score than others

focuses on any advantageous or top position beyond just scores
one step ahead
vsin the lead
38 4.0

In a better position because you are ready before others

means occupying a top advantageous position rather than only a slight margin
front runner
vsin the lead
16 3.5

A person or team leading a competition

refers to the state of being first rather than naming the person
ahead of the game
vsin the lead
15 4.4

In a better position because you act or prepare earlier than others

signals an overall first or advantageous position regardless of how it was achieved
out front
vsin the lead
10 3.4

Ahead of others in a race, game, or area of work

is used more generally for any advantageous or comparative position
foremost
vsin the lead
5 3.8

At the very front of a group or place

is used across competitions and comparisons, not only physical placement
ahead of the pack
vsin the lead
  • Informal
3 4.4

Being more successful than others in the same group

refers to being first or advantageous in a contest, not only advanced
leading
vsin the lead
3.4

Ahead of others in a game or race

emphasises advantage in competitions or comparisons rather than only measures of progress

Antonyms

behind
243 1.0

In a position with a lower score or later than others

disadvantaged
34 3.7

People who do not have enough money, support, or chances to do well

How Ahead

dominant
1 4.1
in the lead
24 2.7
ahead
690 1.0
level
1 1.6
behind
243 1.0

Surface Forms

in the lead main

Morphology

in + the + lead

The meaning 'in an advantageous, first, or leading position' is directly and compositionally derived from 'in' (showing position) + 'the' (definite article) + 'lead' (the position/amount by which one is ahead). This is a transparent, literal locative expression following common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

In the lead comes from the simple image of someone standing at the front of a race or line. The word lead means the front, so the phrase means 'ahead of others' or 'in first place'.