How to Use have/hold the lead in a Sentence

have/hold the lead

idiom
Definition of have/hold the leadnext
  • The Marlins led 5-2 but six relief pitchers were not enough to hold the lead.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
  • But Marlins starter Ryan Weathers couldn’t hold the lead, allowing six runs in four-plus innings.
    — Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2024
  • But the Huskies couldn’t hold the lead in the final moments.
    — Tim Booth, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
  • But there was too much Hull down the stretch for Kentucky to hold the lead.
    — Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 11 June 2023
  • With a 6-3 lead, the Tigers' bullpen had to hold the lead for the final four innings.
    — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 26 June 2022
  • Alcaraz broke Tiafoe in the first game of the fifth set, but again could not hold the lead very long.
    — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022
  • The Nuggets now have the lead again, and there was no Game 2 hangover on Wednesday.
    — Tim Reynolds, ajc, 8 June 2023
  • The defense couldn’t hold the lead, but Akers did his part well.
    — Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022
  • The trademark has yet to be granted, but Shutt and Darger seem to have the lead.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2021
  • Hamadeh, however, did hold the lead for a few hours Nov. 9.
    — Tara Kavaler, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2022
  • Oregon State didn’t wilt, as the Beavers rode Taylor and others to hold the lead.
    — oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2023
  • To never have the lead on the road that’s tough until the final two minutes.
    — Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 18 Oct. 2022
  • Tony Pollard will have the lead role for the second time in his four seasons.
    — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 30 Oct. 2022
  • Because the game is on the road, using Hess will be determined by if the Tigers have the lead.
    — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2021
  • The right-hander pitched into the eighth inning with the Orioles ahead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and the Orioles lost, 4-3.
    — Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2024
  • Against the Kings, the Spurs trailed by 19 in the second half before going ahead in the fourth quarter but failing to hold the lead.
    — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Mar. 2022
  • And the Panthers have the lead Florida took its first lead of the game with 12:29 left in regulation on an Aleksander Barkov goal.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2024
  • Noland’s Panthers appeared to have the lead, but a rushing touchdown was wiped off the board due to a holding call.
    — Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2023
  • But a typically steady bullpen couldn't hold the lead, with the White Sox scoring one run in the eighth and two more in the ninth to hand Houston a 3-2 defeat.
    — Josh Criswell, Chron, 30 Mar. 2023
  • Urías drove in a run and scored in the seventh to put Baltimore back in front, and Baker and Bautista managed to hold the lead, though not without drama.
    — Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2023
  • Tre Mitchell had a big night, scoring 15 points, but the Frogs were able to hold the lead with timely defensive stops and consistent pressure on the perimeter.
    — Dallas News, 31 Jan. 2023
  • The smart glasses race is very much on, and Echo Frames definitely seem to have the lead at least aesthetically.
    — Wes Davis, The Verge, 21 Sep. 2023
  • With it 1-0 at halftime, the Americans can definitely be pleased to have the lead—but this World Cup has already been a difficult reminder about the size of leads.
    — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, 29 Nov. 2022
  • But much like Brazil in the first quarterfinal, Argentina couldn’t hold the lead in the dying minutes of regulation.
    — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2022
  • The poll surveyed likely voters on the historic race to elect the city’s next leader, with questions ranging from which candidates have the lead to which issues are top of mind for voters.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2021
  • The Tigers have the lead in this recruitment and are closing in on a second defensive line commit from a player who also scheduled an OSU visit.
    — Stephen Means, cleveland, 17 June 2022
  • Right-hander Julian Merryweather couldn’t hold the lead, surrendering two runs in the eighth.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2023
  • Related: Offseason conditioning has made Alex Verdugo lighter, quicker, and stronger Pivetta could not hold the lead.
    — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'have/hold the lead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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