Definition
To cause to follow blindly.
To lead by example and painstaking explanation, as one might do for remedial teaching.
Origins
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.
In Context
- "let him choose well his referendaries , for else he may be led by the nose"
- "Because he was outorganized, Hutchinson cries foul. Sorry, but I simply cannot accept his view that Alliance members are mindless lackeys lead by the nose by the "leadership.""
- "We had to lead some users by the nose because they couldn't understand even the simplest instructions."
Also Said As
- lead around by the nose
See Also
- lead someone down the garden path
- red herring