lead off
To begin; start; open.
Richardson led off the inning with a double.
We always let Henry lead off.
Mr. Jones led off with the jack of diamonds.
When the teacher asked if the film helped them to understand, Phil led off by saying that he learned a lot from it.
lead on
To encourage you to believe something untrue or mistaken.
Tom led us on to believe that he was a world traveler, but we found out that he had never been outside our state.
We were led on to think that Jeanne and Jim were engaged to be married.
lead one a merry dance
To cause someone unusual discomfort or expense; tire someone by causing one to overdo.
With her personal extravagances and constant social activities that cost a fortune, Carol led her husband a merry dance.
lead the way
To go before and show how to go somewhere; guide.
The boys need someone to lead the way on their hike.
The men hired an Indian to lead the way to the Pueblo ruins.
That school led the way in finding methods to teach reading.
lead to
To result in.
Such a heavy arms race can only lead to war.
leadfoot
lead-footed
One who drives excessively or dangerously fast in a car. The phrase is based on the expression have a lead foot, meaning to have a tendency to speed when driving. The image is that of one's foot being made of lead, which is very heavy, and thus pushing down on the accelerator.
I've always been a bit of a leadfoot when I get behind the wheel, so I've gotten my fair share of speeding tickets.
Some leadfoot went flying past me on the interstate and nearly careered into a truck.
To drive excessively or dangerously fast in a car.
Make sure you don't leadfoot around these residential areas.
He was caught leadfooting down the highway at nearly 150 miles an hour.
leading light
A prominent person in a community, company, or group.
Alan is the leading light of our discussion group on music.
majority leader
The leader of the political party with the most votes in a legislative house.
The majority leader of the House of Representatives tried to get the members of his party to support the bill.