lead them astray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead them astray" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It means to misguide or deceive someone, causing them to make a wrong decision or take the wrong path. Example: The charismatic cult leader was able to charm his followers and lead them astray from their families and friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It's wonderful – you can lead them astray.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other, more wrenching stories etch characters whose ideas of traditional morality lead them astray.

The New York Times - Books

It can lead them astray, into drugs or, in the case of boys, into the armed groups".

The Guardian

Rangers speak of "death by G.P.S .: people follow bad directions into oblivion, refusing to believe that their devices could lead them astray.

The New Yorker

Maybe if Clinton were a younger woman, they could resort to the timeworn slur against female politicians that their hormonal cycles will surely lead them astray.

The New Yorker

This time Britain's number-crunchers were concerned that their normal methods might lead them astray, since the unusually bad weather was concentrated in the month for which they would normally have little data.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

A handful of readers complained that I'd led them astray.

The New York Times - Books

I.e.: it was the profit motive and distorted market prices that led them astray, not government policy.

The New Yorker

In "Meek's Cutoff" — based on a true story — three families are guided westbound by the crude, mythomaniac con man Stephen Meek, who seems to have led them astray.

The New Yorker

In "Meek's Cutoff"—based on a true story three families are guided westbound by the crude, mythomaniac con man Stephen Meek, who seems to have led them astray.

The New Yorker

Even when it is entirely plain that they are lost, the water is running out and that he has led them astray, Meek never admits defeat.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lead them astray" when you want to emphasize the act of someone being misguided or tempted into making poor decisions or following a wrong path. It is best employed to describe situations in which someone's judgment or moral compass is compromised by external influence.

Common error

A common mistake is using "lead" (present tense) when "led" (past tense) is required. Ensure you use "led" when referring to a past event where someone was misguided: "He led them astray."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead them astray" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes the action of misguiding or corrupting someone's path or decisions, suggesting a deviation from what is correct or moral. Examples show it being used to describe moral failings, deceptive actions, and even technical malfunctions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lead them astray" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of misguiding or corrupting someone, causing them to deviate from the correct path. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a negative influence, prompting actions with undesirable consequences. Predominantly found in news and media, but also in scientific and formal business contexts, its neutral tone makes it versatile for various writing styles. When using this phrase, be aware to use "led" in past tense and ensure you want to stress a situation in which someone's moral compass is compromised by external influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misguide them

Implies a lack of proper direction, possibly unintentional.

mislead them

Focuses on providing incorrect information, whether intentional or not.

deceive them

Emphasizes the act of tricking someone into believing something false.

corrupt them

Suggests a moral degradation or perversion of their values.

tempt them

Highlights the act of enticing someone into doing something wrong or unwise.

influence them negatively

A broader term indicating any kind of adverse effect on their actions or beliefs.

lure them into error

Focuses on attracting them towards a mistake or wrong action.

draw them into wrongdoing

Emphasizes the act of pulling someone toward immoral behavior.

entice them down the wrong path

Focuses on using attraction to deviate someone from the right path.

lead them down the garden path

An idiomatic expression meaning to deceive someone, often in a gentle way.

FAQs

What does "lead them astray" mean?

The phrase "lead them astray" means to misguide someone, causing them to make incorrect decisions or follow a path that is wrong or harmful.

How can I use "lead them astray" in a sentence?

You can use "lead them astray" to describe how someone's actions or words might cause others to deviate from what is right or true. For example: "The con artist used smooth talk to "mislead them" and "lead them astray" from their goals."

What are some alternatives to "lead them astray"?

Some alternatives to "lead them astray" include "misguide them", "deceive them", or "corrupt them", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "lead them astray"?

The phrase "lead them astray" is appropriate in contexts where someone is being intentionally or unintentionally misguided. It can be used in discussions about morality, ethics, or decision-making processes, and also about religious subjects. For example, "The constant temptation "lured them into error" and "lead them astray" from their path".