LEAD - Translation from English into Spanish | PONS

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Oxford Spanish Dictionary

I. lead¹ [Am lid, Brit liːd] N

1. lead (in competition) no pl:

to be in/hold the lead: ir/seguir a la cabeza or en cabeza

to be in/hold the lead: llevar/conservar la delantera

to move into the lead, to take the lead: ponerse a la cabeza or en cabeza

to move into the lead, to take the lead: tomar la delantera

Acme has taken the lead from Chipco in the car market: Acme ha pasado a ocupar el primer lugar, desplazando a Chipco, en el mercado del automóvil

she has a lead of 20 meters/points over her nearest rival: le lleva 20 metros/puntos de ventaja a su rival más cercano

2. lead (example, leadership):

lead no pl: ejemplo m

to give a lead: dar (el) ejemplo

to follow or take sb's lead: seguir el ejemplo de alguien

you should take their lead and resign: debería seguir su ejemplo y dimitir

if you don't know what to do, just follow my lead: si no sabe qué hacer, haga lo mismo que yo

they took the lead in expelling foreign companies: tomaron la iniciativa en expulsar a las compañías extranjeras

3. lead (clue):

lead: pista f

to investigate/follow up a lead: investigar/seguir una pista

4.1. lead (for dog):

lead Brit: correa f

lead Brit: traílla f

put the dog on its lead: ponle la correa or la traílla al perro

dogs must be kept on a lead at all times: prohibido dejar a los perros sueltos

4.2. lead ELEC:

lead: cable m

5.1. lead (main role):

lead: papel m principal

the male/female lead (role): el papel principal masculino/femenino

the male/female lead (person): el primer actor/la primera actriz

to play the lead: hacer el papel principal

to play the lead: ser el/la protagonista

5.2. lead MUS:

lead no pl: solista mf

to sing/play (the) lead: ser la voz/el músico solista

to sing/play (the) lead attr guitar/singer: principal

6.1. lead JOURN:

lead, a. lead story: artículo m principal

6.2. lead JOURN (opening paragraph):

lead Am: introducción f (de un artículo de prensa)

lead attr paragraph: inicial

7. lead (cards) no pl:

it was her lead: salía ella

it was her lead: ella era mano

her lead was the three of hearts: salió con el tres de corazones

II. lead¹ <pt & pp led> [Am lid, Brit liːd] VB trans

1.1. lead (guide, conduct):

lead person/animal: llevar

lead person/animal: guiar

he led her across the field: la guió or condujo a través del campo

he led his troops into battle: inició el ataque al frente de sus tropas

he led her onto the dance floor: la llevó hasta la pista

to lead sb to sth/sb: conducir or llevar a alguien a algo/ ante alguien

she led the party to victory: condujo el partido a la victoria

the path led them to a clearing: el sendero los condujo or los llevó a un claro

they were led to safety by firemen: los bomberos los pusieron a salvo

lead us to your master!: ¡condúcenos ante tu amo!

to lead sb aside/to one side: llevar a alguien aparte/a un lado

to lead sb away/off: llevarse a alguien

he was led away by police: se lo llevó la policía

lead the way!: ¡ve tú delante!

lead the way!: ¡ve tú adelante! esp LatAm

1.2. lead (to a particular state, course of action):

to lead sb into temptation: hacer caer a alguien en la tentación

to lead sb to sth/+infin this led me to the conclusion that …: esto me hizo llegar a la conclusión de que …

you led me to this!: ¡tú me metiste en esto!

whatever led you to resign?: ¿qué te llevó a dimitir?

I was led to believe that …: me dieron a entender que …

1.3. lead (influence, induce):

lead witness: insinuarle la respuesta a

he's easily led: se deja llevar fácilmente

2. lead:

lead (head, have charge of) discussion: conducir

lead orchestra (conduct) Am: dirigir

lead (play first violin in) Brit: ser el primer violín de

the expedition was led by a famous anthropologist: la expedición iba al mando de un famoso antropólogo

she leads a star-studded cast: encabeza un elenco estelar

he led the congregation in prayer: oró junto a los fieles

the chairman led the applause: el presidente inició los aplausos

3.1. lead (be at front of):

lead parade/attack: encabezar

lead parade/attack: ir al frente de

his mother led the mourners: su madre encabezaba el cortejo fúnebre

3.2. lead (in race, competition):

lead opponent: aventajar

they led the opposing team by ten points: aventajaban al equipo contrario por diez puntos

they led the opposing team by ten points: le llevaban diez puntos de ventaja al equipo contrario

to lead the field SPORTS: ir en cabeza or a la cabeza

to lead the field SPORTS: llevar la delantera

she led the rest of the class by a long way: aventajaba con mucho al resto de la clase

she led the rest of the class by a long way: iba muy por delante del resto de la clase

they lead the world in this kind of technology: son los líderes mundiales en este tipo de tecnología

4. lead life:

lead: llevar

to lead a quiet/very active life: llevar or tener una vida tranquila/muy activa

to lead a normal life: llevar or hacer una vida normal

5. lead (play):

lead trumps/hearts: salir con

III. lead¹ <pt & pp led> [Am lid, Brit liːd] VB intr

1. lead:

to lead to sth road/path/steps:: llevar or conducir or dar a algo

to lead to sth door:: dar a algo

the alley led to a little courtyard: el callejón llevaba or conducía a un pequeño patio

this discussion isn't leading anywhere: esta discusión no conduce a nada

six streets lead off the square: de la plaza salen seis calles

2.1. lead (be, act as leader):

you lead, we'll follow: ve delante, que te seguimos

you lead, we'll follow: ve adelante, que te seguimos esp LatAm

the man leads in ballroom dancing: en los bailes de salón es el hombre quien lleva a su pareja

2.2. lead (in race, competition):

lead competitor:: ir a la cabeza

lead competitor:: puntear LatAm

they are leading by three goals: van ganando por tres goles

the Republicans are leading in the polls: los republicanos van a la cabeza en or encabezan las encuestas

3.1. lead JOURN:

'The Times' leads with the budget deficit: 'The Times' dedica su artículo de fondo al déficit presupuestario

3.2. lead (in cards):

lead: salir

lead: ser mano

to lead with three aces: salir con tres ases

North to lead (in bridge): el norte es mano

3.3. lead (in boxing):

lead: atacar

he led with his right: atacó con la derecha

lead² [Am lɛd, Brit lɛd] N

1. lead U (metal):

lead: plomo m

don't move or I'll fill you full of lead!: ¡quieto o te acribillo a balazos or te lleno el cuerpo de plomo!

as heavy as lead my feet felt as heavy as lead: los pies me pesaban como (un) plomo

to get the lead out (of one's pants) Am inf: ponerse a trabajar duro

lead paint: pintura f con plomo

lead soldier: soldadito m de plomo

2.1. lead C NAUT:

lead: sonda f

lead: escandallo m

to swing the lead Brit: poner excusas para no trabajar

2.2. lead C or U (for fishing):

lead: plomo m

3. lead C or U (in pencil):

lead: mina f

to put lead in sb's pencil sl: ser un afrodisíaco

4. lead <leads, pl > (in window, for roof):

lead: emplomado m

lead-up [Am ˈlidəp, Brit ˈliːdʌp] N

lead-up (to sth) campaigning is intensifying in the lead-up to the election: la campaña se está intensificando a medida que se aproximan las elecciones

lead poisoning N U

lead poisoning: intoxicación f por plomo

lead poisoning (chronic disease): saturnismo m

lead time [Am ˈlid ˌtaɪm, Brit ˈliːdtʌɪm] N

1. lead time (before delivery):

lead time: plazo m de entrega

excessive lead times: demoras fpl excesivas en las entregas

2. lead time (before completion, production):

lead time: período m de gestación

I. lead off VB [Am lid -, Brit liːd -] (v + adv + prep + o)

to lead off with sth: empezar or comenzar con algo

II. lead off VB [Am lid -, Brit liːd -] (v + adv + o)

lead off: empezar

lead off: comenzar

the minister led off the session with …: el ministro abrió la sesión con …

See also

I. lead¹ [Am lid, Brit liːd] N

1. lead (in competition) no pl:

to be in/hold the lead: ir/seguir a la cabeza or en cabeza

to be in/hold the lead: llevar/conservar la delantera

to move into the lead, to take the lead: ponerse a la cabeza or en cabeza

to move into the lead, to take the lead: tomar la delantera

Acme has taken the lead from Chipco in the car market: Acme ha pasado a ocupar el primer lugar, desplazando a Chipco, en el mercado del automóvil

she has a lead of 20 meters/points over her nearest rival: le lleva 20 metros/puntos de ventaja a su rival más cercano

2. lead (example, leadership):

lead no pl: ejemplo m

to give a lead: dar (el) ejemplo

to follow or take sb's lead: seguir el ejemplo de alguien

you should take their lead and resign: debería seguir su ejemplo y dimitir

if you don't know what to do, just follow my lead: si no sabe qué hacer, haga lo mismo que yo

they took the lead in expelling foreign companies: tomaron la iniciativa en expulsar a las compañías extranjeras

3. lead (clue):

lead: pista f

to investigate/follow up a lead: investigar/seguir una pista

4.1. lead (for dog):

lead Brit: correa f

lead Brit: traílla f

put the dog on its lead: ponle la correa or la traílla al perro

dogs must be kept on a lead at all times: prohibido dejar a los perros sueltos

4.2. lead ELEC:

lead: cable m

5.1. lead (main role):

lead: papel m principal

the male/female lead (role): el papel principal masculino/femenino

the male/female lead (person): el primer actor/la primera actriz

to play the lead: hacer el papel principal

to play the lead: ser el/la protagonista

5.2. lead MUS:

lead no pl: solista mf

to sing/play (the) lead: ser la voz/el músico solista

to sing/play (the) lead attr guitar/singer: principal

6.1. lead JOURN:

lead, a. lead story: artículo m principal

6.2. lead JOURN (opening paragraph):

lead Am: introducción f (de un artículo de prensa)

lead attr paragraph: inicial

7. lead (cards) no pl:

it was her lead: salía ella

it was her lead: ella era mano

her lead was the three of hearts: salió con el tres de corazones

II. lead¹ <pt & pp led> [Am lid, Brit liːd] VB trans

1.1. lead (guide, conduct):

lead person/animal: llevar

lead person/animal: guiar

he led her across the field: la guió or condujo a través del campo

he led his troops into battle: inició el ataque al frente de sus tropas

he led her onto the dance floor: la llevó hasta la pista

to lead sb to sth/sb: conducir or llevar a alguien a algo/ ante alguien

she led the party to victory: condujo el partido a la victoria

the path led them to a clearing: el sendero los condujo or los llevó a un claro

they were led to safety by firemen: los bomberos los pusieron a salvo

lead us to your master!: ¡condúcenos ante tu amo!

to lead sb aside/to one side: llevar a alguien aparte/a un lado

to lead sb away/off: llevarse a alguien

he was led away by police: se lo llevó la policía

lead the way!: ¡ve tú delante!

lead the way!: ¡ve tú adelante! esp LatAm

1.2. lead (to a particular state, course of action):

to lead sb into temptation: hacer caer a alguien en la tentación

to lead sb to sth/+infin this led me to the conclusion that …: esto me hizo llegar a la conclusión de que …

you led me to this!: ¡tú me metiste en esto!

whatever led you to resign?: ¿qué te llevó a dimitir?

I was led to believe that …: me dieron a entender que …

1.3. lead (influence, induce):

lead witness: insinuarle la respuesta a

he's easily led: se deja llevar fácilmente

2. lead:

lead (head, have charge of) discussion: conducir

lead orchestra (conduct) Am: dirigir

lead (play first violin in) Brit: ser el primer violín de

the expedition was led by a famous anthropologist: la expedición iba al mando de un famoso antropólogo

she leads a star-studded cast: encabeza un elenco estelar

he led the congregation in prayer: oró junto a los fieles

the chairman led the applause: el presidente inició los aplausos

3.1. lead (be at front of):

lead parade/attack: encabezar

lead parade/attack: ir al frente de

his mother led the mourners: su madre encabezaba el cortejo fúnebre

3.2. lead (in race, competition):

lead opponent: aventajar

they led the opposing team by ten points: aventajaban al equipo contrario por diez puntos

they led the opposing team by ten points: le llevaban diez puntos de ventaja al equipo contrario

to lead the field SPORTS: ir en cabeza or a la cabeza

to lead the field SPORTS: llevar la delantera

she led the rest of the class by a long way: aventajaba con mucho al resto de la clase

she led the rest of the class by a long way: iba muy por delante del resto de la clase

they lead the world in this kind of technology: son los líderes mundiales en este tipo de tecnología

4. lead life:

lead: llevar

to lead a quiet/very active life: llevar or tener una vida tranquila/muy activa

to lead a normal life: llevar or hacer una vida normal

5. lead (play):

lead trumps/hearts: salir con

III. lead¹ <pt & pp led> [Am lid, Brit liːd] VB intr

1. lead:

to lead to sth road/path/steps:: llevar or conducir or dar a algo

to lead to sth door:: dar a algo

the alley led to a little courtyard: el callejón llevaba or conducía a un pequeño patio

this discussion isn't leading anywhere: esta discusión no conduce a nada

six streets lead off the square: de la plaza salen seis calles

2.1. lead (be, act as leader):

you lead, we'll follow: ve delante, que te seguimos

you lead, we'll follow: ve adelante, que te seguimos esp LatAm

the man leads in ballroom dancing: en los bailes de salón es el hombre quien lleva a su pareja

2.2. lead (in race, competition):

lead competitor:: ir a la cabeza

lead competitor:: puntear LatAm

they are leading by three goals: van ganando por tres goles

the Republicans are leading in the polls: los republicanos van a la cabeza en or encabezan las encuestas

3.1. lead JOURN:

'The Times' leads with the budget deficit: 'The Times' dedica su artículo de fondo al déficit presupuestario

3.2. lead (in cards):

lead: salir

lead: ser mano

to lead with three aces: salir con tres ases

North to lead (in bridge): el norte es mano

3.3. lead (in boxing):

lead: atacar

he led with his right: atacó con la derecha

lead² [Am lɛd, Brit lɛd] N

1. lead U (metal):

lead: plomo m

don't move or I'll fill you full of lead!: ¡quieto o te acribillo a balazos or te lleno el cuerpo de plomo!

as heavy as lead my feet felt as heavy as lead: los pies me pesaban como (un) plomo

to get the lead out (of one's pants) Am inf: ponerse a trabajar duro

lead paint: pintura f con plomo

lead soldier: soldadito m de plomo

2.1. lead C NAUT:

lead: sonda f

lead: escandallo m

to swing the lead Brit: poner excusas para no trabajar

2.2. lead C or U (for fishing):

lead: plomo m

3. lead C or U (in pencil):

lead: mina f

to put lead in sb's pencil sl: ser un afrodisíaco

4. lead <leads, pl > (in window, for roof):

lead: emplomado m

I. lead on VB [Am lid -, Brit liːd -] (v + adv)

lead on!: ¡adelante! (¡te seguimos!)

II. lead on VB [Am lid -, Brit liːd -] (v + o + adv) (raise false hopes)

lead on: engañar

they were led on with promises of high wages: los engañaron or los engatusaron con promesas de sueldos altos

she's been leading him on for years: hace años que lo tiene agarrado de las narices dándole esperanzas inf

lead to VB [Am lid -, Brit liːd -] (v + prep + o) (result in)

lead to: llevar a

lead to: conducir a

such irresponsibility can only lead to disaster: semejante irresponsabilidad solo puede conducir al desastre

one thing led to another and …: una cosa llevó a la otra y …

one thing led to another and …: de una cosa se pasó a la otra y …

lead crystal N U

lead crystal: cristal m (que contiene óxido de plomo y es muy preciado)

lead-free [Am lɛdˈfri, Brit lɛdˈfriː] ADJ

lead-free: sin plomo

in the PONS Dictionary

I. lead¹ [li:d] N

1. lead no pl (front position):

lead: delantera f

to be in the lead: estar en cabeza

to hold the lead: llevar la delantera

to lose one's lead: perder la delantera

to move into the lead: ponerse en cabeza

to take (over) the lead: tomar la delantera

2. lead:

lead (example): ejemplo m

lead (guiding): iniciativa f

to follow sb's lead: seguir el ejemplo de alguien

to give a lead: dar una indicación

3. lead THEAT:

lead: papel m principal

to play the lead: representar el papel principal

4. lead (clue):

lead: pista f

to get a lead on sth: recibir una pista acerca de algo

5. lead (connecting wire):

lead: cable m

lead: conductor m

6. lead Brit, Aus (for dog):

lead: correa f

II. lead¹ [li:d] VB trans led, led

1. lead (be in charge of):

lead: dirigir

lead discussion, inquiry: conducir

2. lead (conduct):

lead: conducir

lead: llevar

to lead the way: ir primero

to lead the way fig: mostrar el camino

3. lead (induce):

lead: inducir

to lead sb to do sth: llevar a alguien a hacer algo

to lead sb to believe that ...: hacer creer a alguien que...

4. lead COMM, SPORTS (be ahead of):

lead: liderar

to lead the field fig: ir en cabeza

5. lead (live a particular way):

lead life: llevar

to lead a life of luxury: llevar una vida de lujo

to lead a quiet/hectic life: llevar una vida tranquila/ajetreada

Phrases:

to lead sb by the nose inf: manejar a alguien fácilmente

to lead sb up the garden path inf: embaucar a alguien

III. lead¹ [li:d] VB intr led, led

1. lead (be in charge):

lead: dirigir

2. lead (guide followers):

lead: guiar

3. lead (conduct):

lead: llevar

to lead to/into sth a. fig: conducir a/hacia algo

4. lead (be ahead):

lead: ser líder

to lead by 2 metres: tener una ventaja de 2 metros

lead² [led] N

1. lead no pl (metal):

lead: plomo m

2. lead NAUT:

lead: sonda f

3. lead in pencil:

lead: mina f

lead story N JOURN

lead story: artículo m principal

lead along VB trans

lead along: llevar (de la mano)

lead singer N

lead singer: cantante mf principal

extension lead N

extension lead: alargador m

extension lead: alargue m RioPl

lead to VB trans

lead to: llevar a

lead back VB trans

lead back: hacer volver

lead up N

lead up: tiempo m preparatorio

lead guitar N

to play lead guitar: ser el guitarrista principal

in the PONS Dictionary

I. lead¹ [lid] N

1. lead (front position):

lead: delantera f

to be in the lead: estar en cabeza

to hold the lead: llevar la delantera

to lose one's lead: perder la delantera

to move into the lead: ponerse en cabeza

to take the lead: tomar la delantera

2. lead:

lead (example): ejemplo m

lead (guiding): iniciativa f

to follow sb's lead: seguir el ejemplo de alguien

3. lead THEAT:

lead: papel m principal

to play the lead: representar el papel principal

4. lead (clue, tip):

lead: pista f

to get a lead on sth: recibir una pista acerca de algo

to give a lead: dar una indicación

5. lead (connecting wire):

lead: cable m

lead: conductor m

6. lead (dog leash):

lead: correa f

II. lead¹ <led, led> [lid] VB trans

1. lead (be in charge of):

lead: dirigir

lead discussion, inquiry: conducir

2. lead (conduct):

lead: conducir

lead: llevar

to lead the way: ir primero

to lead the way fig: mostrar el camino

3. lead (induce):

lead: inducir

to lead sb to do sth: llevar a alguien a hacer algo

to lead sb to believe that...: hacer creer a alguien que...

4. lead COMM, SPORTS (be ahead of):

lead: liderar

to lead the field fig: ir en cabeza

5. lead (live a particular way):

lead life: llevar

to lead a life of luxury: llevar una vida de lujo

to lead a quiet/hectic life: llevar una vida tranquila/ajetreada

Phrases:

to lead sb (around) by the nose inf: manejar a alguien fácilmente

III. lead¹ <led, led> [lid] VB intr

1. lead (be in charge):

lead: dirigir

2. lead (guide followers):

lead: guiar

3. lead (conduct):

lead: llevar

to lead to/into sth a. fig: conducir a/hacia algo

4. lead (be ahead):

lead: ser líder

to lead by 2 laps: tener una ventaja de 2 vueltas

lead² [led] N

1. lead (metal):

lead: plomo m

2. lead in pencil:

lead: mina f

3. lead NAUT:

lead: sonda f

lead-time N

lead-time: tiempo m de entrega

lead back VB trans

lead back: hacer volver

lead guitar N

to play lead guitar: ser el guitarrista principal

lead along VB trans

lead along: llevar (de la mano)

I. lead off VB trans

lead off person: llevar afuera

lead off room: comunicar con

II. lead off VB intr

lead off: empezar

lead astray VB trans

lead astray: llevar por mal camino

lead away VB trans

lead away: llevar

he was led away by the police: fue arrestado por la policía

lead on VB trans

lead on (trick, fool): engañar

lead on (encourage): incitar a

she doesn't want to lead him on: no quiere darle falsas expectativas

Present
I	lead
you	lead
he/she/it	leads
we	lead
you	lead
they	lead

Past
I	led
you	led
he/she/it	led
we	led
you	led
they	led

Present Perfect
I	have	led
you	have	led
he/she/it	has	led
we	have	led
you	have	led
they	have	led

Past Perfect
I	had	led
you	had	led
he/she/it	had	led
we	had	led
you	had	led
they	had	led

See further verb tables

Examples from the PONS Dictionary (editorially verified)

to go down like a lead balloon: fracasar estrepitosamente

to hold (on to) the lead: seguir por delante

she doesn't want to lead him on: no quiere darle falsas expectativas

vivir en olor de santidad: to lead the life of a saint

hay que enseñar con el ejemplo: you have to lead by example

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