take the lead
Move to front
To take the lead is to move into first position or assume control of a situation.
In races and competitions, whoever takes the lead is ahead of the others: She took the lead in the final lap.
In collaborative settings, taking the lead means assuming responsibility for direction: He took the lead on the project.
The phrase implies action—seizing initiative rather than waiting for it.
Likely winner
- aheadIn the lead
- pacesetterOne setting the standard
- vanguardForemost position or group
- forefrontMost prominent position
first place · pole position · spearhead · out front · commanding · dominant · top spot · head start
front-runner
Likely winner
- aheadIn the lead
- pacesetterOne setting the standard
- vanguardForemost position or group
forefront · first place · pole position · spearhead · out front · commanding · dominant · top spot · head start · number one
proactive
Acting before problems arise
- self-starterOne with initiative
- step upIncrease or advance
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
boldness · assertive · driven · ambition · motivated · pioneer · entrepreneurial · innovate · courage · determination
- initiativetaking initiative, go for it, initiating, proactive, initiative
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- leadership verbscommand, direct, manage, supervise, guide
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
take the leadfollow
Go behind another
fall behind · bring up the rear · trail behind · lag behind · take a back seat
take the leaddefer
Delay or submit
follow orders · take a back seat · submit · yield · step back
take the leadfall behind
Fail to maintain pace
lose ground · drop back · slip back · fall back · bring up the rear
take, lead, leader, leading, leadership, mislead, leads, misleading, misleader