lead someone up the garden path Definition

garden
noun

1. An area of land, usually one adjoining a house, where grass, trees, ornamental plants, fruit, vegetables, etc, are grown.
2. Such an area of land, usually of considerable size, with flower beds, lawns, trees, walks, etc, laid out for enjoyment by the public.

Example: botanical gardens
Form: gardens (usually)
3. A similar smaller place where food and drinks are served outdoors.

Example: tea garden
4. A fertile region.

Example: Kent is the garden of England
5. Used in street names.

Form: Gardens

adj

1. Said of a plant: cultivated, not wild.
2. Belonging to or for use in a garden, or in gardening.

Example: garden fork

verb

intr
gardened, gardening
1. To cultivate, work in or take care of a garden, especially as a hobby.

Derivative: gardener

Someone who gardens; someone skilled in gardening.

Someone whose job is to tend a garden.

Derivative: gardening
noun

The laying out and cultivation of gardens.

Idiom: everything in the garden is lovely (everything in the garden is rosy)

colloq
Everything is, or seems to be, fine.

Idiom: lead someone up the garden path

colloq
To mislead or deceive them deliberately.

Etymology: 14c: from French gardin, variant of jardin.

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lead¹
verb led, leading

tr & intr
1. To guide by going in front.

Thesaurus: guide, conduct, escort, usher, pilot, steer.
2. To precede.
3. To guide or make someone or something go in a certain direction by holding or pulling with the hand, etc.
4. To guide.
5. To conduct.
6. To induce.

Thesaurus: influence, induce, prompt, sway, incline, cause.
7. To cause to live or experience.
tr & intr
8. To direct or be in control (of something).

Thesaurus: direct, govern, command, preside over, supervise, manage, chair, run.
9. To make someone act, feel or think in a certain way.
10. To live, pass or experience.

Example: lead a miserable existence
tr & intr
11. To go or take someone in a certain direction.

Example: The road leads to the village
tr & intr
12. To be foremost or first; to be the most important or influential in (a group) in a particular field.

Example: They lead the world in engineering
Thesaurus: exceed, excel, surpass, outperform; Antonym: lag.
intr
14. Said of a newspaper: to have (a particular story) as its most important article.

Example: The tabloids all lead with the latest atrocity
Form: lead with (usually)
Form: lead on
(Brit)
15. To be the leader of (an orchestra).
16. To conduct liquid along a channel or course.
tr & intr
17. cards.
To begin a round of cards by playing (the first card, especially of a particular suit).
18. Scots law.
To adduce.
19. To cart crops to the farmyard.

Form: lead in (often)

noun

1. An instance of guidance given by leading.
2. The first, leading, or most prominent place; leadership.
3. The amount by which someone or something, etc is in front of others in a race, contest, etc.

Example: had a lead of about a metre
4. A strap or chain for leading or holding a dog, etc.
5. An initial clue or piece of information which might help solve a problem, mystery, etc.

Thesaurus: clue, hint.
6. The principal part in a play, film, etc; the actor playing this role.
7. The most important story in a newspaper.
8. A precedent or example.
9. Precedence.
10. An indication.
11. Direction.
12. Initiative.
13. A wire or conductor taking electricity from a source to an appliance.
14. cards.
The act or right of playing first, the first card played or the play of someone who plays first.
15. The first player in some team sports and games.
16. A watercourse leading to a mill.
17. A channel through ice.
18. A main conductor in electrical distribution.

Idiom: lead someone astray

To entice them into a wrong or misguided course.

Idiom: lead someone by the nose

To force them to follow.

Idiom: lead someone a (merry) dance

See under dance.

Idiom: lead someone up the garden path

See under garden.

Idiom: lead the life of Riley

To have an easy life.

Idiom: lead the way

To go first, especially to guide others.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon lædan.

Phrasal Verb: lead off

To begin.

Phrasal Verb: lead someone on

To persuade them to go further than intended.To deceive or mislead them.

Phrasal Verb: lead someone or something out

To bring them or it out by preceding.
Example: led the team out to tremendous applause

Phrasal Verb: lead to something

To result in it.

Phrasal Verb: lead up to something

To approach (a topic of conversation) reluctantly or by gradual steps or stages.
Example: leading up to the question of money
To be an underlying cause of it.
Example: Persistent lateness lead up to his dismissal