forfeit the lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forfeit the lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports or competitions when a team or individual loses their advantage or position of leadership. Example: "After a series of mistakes, the team began to forfeit the lead, allowing their opponents to catch up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stop One: Morning Blast From Jacksonville JACKSONVILLE, Fla .— Despite forfeiting the lead in Florida polls since he arrived in the state a week ago, Mr. Gingrich was upbeat and combative at his first stop here, citing remarks by George Soros — a bugbear for conservatives — and boasting of the endorsement of one of Ronald Reagan's sons, Michael, who introduced him.

The New York Times

After he grabbed the lead from Elliott Sadler after a restart on the 79th lap, Gordon forfeited the lead just once, when he and everyone else at the front of the pack made a pit stop for fuel and tires on the 125th lap.

The New York Times - Sports

On pole once again at Silverstone, one of the LC2s was in the lead of the race until a wheel bearing failure in the closing laps forced Nannini to pit, forfeiting the lead.

Wikipedia

Employees from non-mainstream backgrounds or other nations must adapt and conform, or forfeit the right to lead.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But it underlines the price the United States may pay for its unresolved debate over human embryonic stem cells: if American researchers lose their technical lead, Washington will also forfeit the chance to set the ethical rules of the game.

The New York Times

The new measure could also lead the team whose fans caused the walk-off to have to forfeit the match.

BBC

Others forfeit the royal treatment.

The New York Times

They may eventually forfeit the wriggle room.

The Guardian

He also agreed to forfeit the weapons".

The New York Times

The Giants will forfeit the game".

The New York Times - Sports

I decided to forfeit the football scholarship.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forfeit the lead" to describe a situation where a competitor or team loses their leading position, typically due to a mistake or change in circumstances. It's particularly fitting in contexts involving sports, races, or political contests.

Common error

Don't use "forfeit the lead" when the intent is to express losing ground or simply falling behind. "Forfeit the lead" specifically means losing a previously held leading position, not just being in a non-leading position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forfeit the lead" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of losing a previously held advantage or leading position. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often seen in sports or competitions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forfeit the lead" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the loss of a previously held leading position, as validated by Ludwig AI. Commonly found in news and media, especially in sports and political contexts, it's a neutral and direct way to convey a shift in advantage. While alternatives like "relinquish the lead" or "give up the lead" exist, "forfeit the lead" maintains a specific connotation of losing something previously held. Remember to use it when the focus is on the change in position from leading to not leading, and not merely falling behind. Ludwig's analysis confirms its accuracy and contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give up the lead

"Give up" is a more casual and common way to express losing the lead.

relinquish the lead

Using "relinquish" implies a more voluntary giving up of the lead, or a forced giving up.

lose the leading position

This is a more descriptive and less idiomatic way of saying the same thing.

lose control of the lead

Suggests that lack of control caused the lead to be lost.

surrender the advantage

Focuses on the advantage being lost, rather than the lead itself.

yield the first position

"Yield" suggests a forced loss of position due to pressure or circumstances.

drop out of the lead

Implies a sudden or unexpected loss of the leading position.

mismanage the lead

Implies losing the lead through poor management or strategy.

waste the lead

Suggests a careless or negligent squandering of the lead.

dissipate the lead

This phrase implies the lead was lost gradually over time.

FAQs

What does "forfeit the lead" mean?

The phrase "forfeit the lead" means to lose a previously held leading position, typically due to a mistake or change in circumstances.

How can I use "forfeit the lead" in a sentence?

You might say, "The race car driver "forfeited the lead" after a tire blowout" or "The candidate "forfeited the lead" in the polls after the scandal broke".

What can I say instead of "forfeit the lead"?

Alternatives include "relinquish the lead", "give up the lead", or "lose the leading position", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "forfeit the lead" in formal writing?

Yes, "forfeit the lead" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing competitive situations. It's commonly found in news reports and analytical pieces.