English Meaning & Definitions
To deceive someone by encouraging them to believe something that is not true, especially regarding romantic interest or future intentions.
- โHe knew he didn't want a serious relationship, but he continued to lead her on for months.โ
- โDon't lead the candidate on if you have no intention of offering them the job.โ
To guide or conduct someone to a particular place or further along a path.
- โThe guide offered to lead us on to the summit once the storm cleared.โ
- โShe took my hand and led me on through the dark corridors of the old mansion.โ
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โlead onโ.
The phrase combines the Old English 'lรฆdan' (to guide, conduct, or show the way) with the adverb 'on' (indicating forward motion or continuation). In the context of deception, it evolved from the literal sense of guiding someone physically to the metaphorical sense of guiding someone emotionally or intellectually toward a false expectation.
Imagine someone holding a leash and pulling you forward toward a destination that doesn't actually exist.
Frequently Asked Questions About โlead onโ
1. What is the meaning of โlead onโ in English?
In English, lead on (idiom) is defined as: โTo deceive someone by encouraging them to believe something that is not true, especially regarding romantic interest or future intentions.โ.
2. How do you use โlead onโ in a sentence?
โHe knew he didn't want a serious relationship, but he continued to lead her on for months.โ
3. What are English synonyms of โlead onโ?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of โlead onโ?
The phrase combines the Old English 'lรฆdan' (to guide, conduct, or show the way) with the adverb 'on' (indicating forward motion or continuation). In the context of deception, it evolved from the literal sense of guiding someone physically to the metaphorical sense of guiding someone emotionally or intellectually toward a false expectation.
๐ฌ๐งMore English Words to English
View all English words โThe base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.