maintain the lead

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain the lead" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone or something is keeping a position of advantage or superiority, often in competition. For example, "The team worked hard to maintain the lead throughout the game." Alternative expressions include "keep the lead" and "hold the lead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But Garcia was unable to maintain the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

He sat out about four minutes, came back and helped maintain the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

But Weir, 18, moved out front and put Thompson in position to maintain the lead and win another gold.

The New York Times - Sports

• Why were the Mets unable to maintain the lead they took May 16 and held for 134 consecutive days?

The New York Times - Sports

And even when Singh did make a final-round blunder at No. 11, hitting his second shot into the water, he minimized the damage by scrambling for bogey to maintain the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

The impression given was "senior management were content to wait till proposals had been put up to them, and failed to give and maintain the lead in seeking solutions", Lord Cullen said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Hitchcock maintained the lead until Ramiro Mendoza and Mariano Rivera combined to get the last eight outs.

The New York Times - Sports

Another, Rob Elliot, maintained the lead with a superb reaction save from Carl Cort in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

Every investigation into an at-large violent offender is a footrace; you always maintained the lead.

The New Yorker

Lajunen maintained the lead and finished in 16 minutes 40.1 seconds, nine seconds ahead of Ackermann.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Romney maintains the lead, according to the survey, with 36 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to convey the idea of actively preserving a position of advantage against potential challenges.

Common error

Don't assume "maintain the lead" implies a passive state. It often requires continuous effort and strategic adjustments to stay ahead of the competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the lead" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of preserving a position of dominance or advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain the lead" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the act of preserving a position of advantage. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to remember that maintaining a lead often requires ongoing effort and strategic adjustments. Consider using related phrases like "hold the lead" or "keep the lead" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold the lead

This alternative uses a more direct verb, "hold", implying a firm grasp on the leading position.

keep the lead

This alternative uses the verb "keep", suggesting an ongoing effort to stay ahead.

preserve the advantage

This focuses on the 'advantage' aspect, rather than the specific 'lead' terminology.

retain the top spot

This is more general, referring to maintaining a top position rather than a specific lead.

stay in front

This is a simpler, more literal way of expressing the idea of maintaining a leading position.

defend the leading position

This emphasizes the active effort to protect the lead from being overtaken.

secure the first position

This places focus on solidifying the lead, making sure no one can take over.

prevent losing the lead

This alternative focuses on the negative aspect of not wanting to lose the lead.

continue to lead

This refers more to the act of leading and continuing it, rather than the defense of that position.

avoid being overtaken

This focuses solely on the aspect of preventing someone else from taking the lead.

FAQs

What does "maintain the lead" mean?

"Maintain the lead" means to continue to be in a position of advantage or control, especially in a competition or race.

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

You can use "maintain the lead" in sentences like: "The runner worked hard to maintain the lead in the final lap" or "The company needs to innovate to maintain the lead in the market".

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

You can use alternatives like "hold the lead", "keep the lead", or "preserve the advantage" depending on the context.

Is "maintain the lead" formal or informal?

The phrase "maintain the lead" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. It can be used in news reports, sports commentary, or business discussions.