take your lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take your lead" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone needs guidance or when you want to indicate that it is their turn to take action--that they should lead the way. For example, "I'm not sure what to do next; take your lead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Take your lead from them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

C Take your lead from Boris Johnson, and mysteriously say it's no big deal and you don't plan to take any action.

Independent

Just don't, whatever you do, take your lead from Matt Wolf in the New York Times, who wears his learning about as lightly as a suit of armour.

The Guardian

Take your lead from foodie trends that aim to localise parts of the food chain, wrestling them back from food corporations and their impactful supply chains.

The Guardian

I think Wenger's comments tell his players he has got it sorted, and that is important because you take your lead from the manager.

The Guardian - Sport

But when it comes to sharing your operations with casual work pals and passing acquaintances, take your lead from the singer/soap opera star of yore, Rick Springfield: "Don't talk to strangers, baby, don't you talk".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

No guarantees, but I'd start by logging off the computer and taking your lead from another Deborah (Harry — and her pals Blondie): "Call me!" Your brother-in-law may feel he wasn't consulted about the moratorium on gifts.

The New York Times

Take your pick from LED candles, the eSpring water treatment system, a Sonicare toothbrush, and his-and-hers Dual Sensual Massagers.

The Guardian - Tech

Captain Marvel, Captain Fantastic, take your pick but Robson led England 65 times.

The Guardian - Sport

"Hello, brother (sister) – let me take your hand and lead you another world?" He's a charming man, for sure, but what are they going to make of him?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Failing to take your service obligations seriously can lead to resentment among colleagues who may sit in judgment when you're up for tenure.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take your lead" when you want to encourage someone to proceed based on their own judgment or expertise, especially in situations where they have more experience or knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "take your lead" in situations where a direct command is needed. It's better suited for collaborative scenarios where guidance is appreciated, not demanded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take your lead" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used to delegate authority or initiative to another person. It suggests that the person being addressed should guide or direct the subsequent actions based on their own judgment or expertise. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take your lead" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed idiomatic expression, often found in News & Media and Wiki sources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves the purpose of delegating authority, offering deference, and encouraging action based on someone's judgment. While generally neutral in tone, it's best used in collaborative situations where guidance is welcome, and it's not suitable as a direct command. Alternatives include "follow your example" and "defer to you", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow your example

Emphasizes imitating someone's behavior or actions as a model.

defer to you

Indicates yielding to someone's judgment or authority.

let you decide

Focuses on giving someone the power to make a decision.

give you the reins

Implies handing over control or leadership to someone.

follow your direction

Highlights adherence to someone's instructions or guidance.

do as you suggest

Focuses on acting according to someone's advice or recommendations.

accept your guidance

Underlines the act of willingly receiving someone's advice or instruction.

go by your advice

Suggests making decisions based on the provided advice.

submit to your leadership

Emphasizes the yielding of control to someone's leading.

let you be the guide

Focuses on letting someone show them the way.

FAQs

How can I use "take your lead" in a sentence?

You can use "take your lead" when you are unsure of how to proceed and want someone else to guide the way. For instance, "I'm unfamiliar with this software; please "take your lead"."

What does "take your lead" mean?

"Take your lead" means to follow someone's example or guidance, allowing them to direct the course of action.

What can I say instead of "take your lead"?

Alternatives to "take your lead" include "follow your example", "defer to you", or "let you decide" depending on the context.

Is "take your lead" formal or informal?

"Take your lead" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both professional and informal settings.