Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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verb
To cause to follow blindly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, idiomatic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: lead around by the nose
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To lead by example and painstaking explanation, as one might do for remedial teaching.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, idiomatic
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: bamboozle, snow, hoodwink, pull the wool over someone's eyes, play false
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: deceive, betray, lead astray
History
The figurative senses are metaphorical extensions from the literal sense of leading a livestock animal by grabbing its nose or nose ring (with the latter hooked to a lead) or by pushing its nose into feed or water to encourage it to eat or drink.
Across languages
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.
