lead on
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
Make someone think you like them or will do something when you don't really mean it.
Literal meaning: To lead (guide) someone on (forward) — implying they are following a path that leads nowhere real.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To give someone false hope or encouragement, especially in a romantic relationship.
"She wasn't actually interested in him but kept leading him on for months."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To encourage someone to continue, especially to lead the way forward.
"The guide told us to follow him and led on through the jungle."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Most commonly used in romantic contexts to describe giving someone false hope of a relationship. Can also describe misleading someone in a non-romantic context. Often used in accusatory statements: 'You were leading me on.'
Commonly used with
romantically false hope partner victim strings believe
Forms
Base
lead on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leads on
he/she/it
Past simple
led on
yesterday
Past participle
led on
have + pp
-ing form
leading on
continuous
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