in the lead

in the lead — 慣用語

1. in first place during a race, election, or contest, ahead of all other competito

1.慣用語B1
釋義

領先；居首

在比賽或競爭中處於第一

in first place during a race, election, or contest, ahead of all other competitors at that moment.

例句

The Watanabe family's bakery was in the lead at the fair until judging ended.

渡邊家的麵包店在該市美食展中一直領先，直到評審結束。

be in the lead in a competition context

With two laps to go, the Kenyan runner was in the lead by fifteen metres.

剩兩圈時，那位肯亞跑者領先十五公尺。

be in the lead + distance measure

同義詞
  • ahead

    more general; 'ahead' can be used without a direct comparison group

  • in first place

    more specific to ranked competitions; implies an explicit ranking system

  • leading

    adjective form; can modify nouns ('the leading runner')

反義詞

文法句型

be in the lead

put someone in the lead

move into the lead

用法筆記

Common with verbs of movement or position: 'be', 'move', 'go', 'put', 'stay', 'remain'. Can be modified by time expressions ('early in the race', 'at the halfway point').

常見錯誤

❌The runner was in lead during the race.
✅The runner was in the lead during the race.
💡the definite article 'the' is required before 'lead'.
❌Our team is in the lead of the competition.
✅Our team is in the lead in the competition.
💡use 'in', not 'of', after 'in the lead'.

2. further ahead than others in progress, achievement, or development, though not n

2.慣用語B2
釋義

超前；拔尖

在進展或成就上超越他人

further ahead than others in progress, achievement, or development, though not necessarily in a formal competition.

例句

Japan was in the lead in robotics research throughout the early 2000s.

日本在二十一世紀初期的機器人研究領域處於領先地位。

be in the lead in [field of expertise]

The night-shift nurse was in the lead on patient recovery scores for three months running.

那位大夜班的護理師在病人康复評分上連續三個月居冠。

be in the lead on [specific measure]

同義詞
  • ahead

    shorter and more flexible; 'ahead in technology' works the same way

  • out in front

    more informal; suggests a clear advantage

  • at the forefront

    more formal; implies innovation or pioneering work

反義詞

文法句型

be in the lead in [domain]

be in the lead on [measure]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not require an ongoing timed contest. The domain is introduced with 'in' ('in the lead in safety technology') or 'on' ('in the lead on test scores').

常見錯誤

❌Our company is in the lead of technology.
✅Our company is in the lead in technology.
💡use 'in', not 'of', for the domain.

3. considered the most likely person or thing to achieve a particular goal, win an

3.慣用語B2
釋義

最有希望

被認為最有可能獲勝或當選

considered the most likely person or thing to achieve a particular goal, win an award, or be selected for a position.

例句

The Brazilian striker is in the lead to win the tournament's Golden Boot award.

那位巴西前鋒最有希望贏得本屆賽事金靴獎。

be in the lead to + infinitive (likely outcome)

Early reviews put Priya's debut novel in the lead for the National Book Prize.

早期書評認為 Priya 的出道作最有機會獲得國家圖書獎。

put [something] in the lead for [prize/award]

同義詞
  • favourite

    chiefly British; can be a noun ('the favourite to win')

  • front-runner

    noun form; implies a person or thing currently expected to succeed

  • most likely

    less idiomatic but clearer for learners at lower levels

反義詞
  • outsider

    someone or something not expected to win

  • dark horse

    an unexpected contender with little public attention

文法句型

be in the lead to [verb]

put [someone] in the lead as [role]

用法筆記

Frequently used for prediction or likelihood rather than current score. Very common in sports commentary ('in the lead to be MVP') and entertainment news ('in the lead for Best Actress').