lead back

lead back

1. Of a path or route, to continue to one's point of origin. I think this trail will lead back to our campsite. There are a few roads leading back to New Jersey, but this one is definitely the fastest.
2. To guide or direct someone or something to some point of origin. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lead" and "back." We've set up markers along these rocks to help lead hikers back to the proper trail. The dense network of nerves lead the signal back to the brain at incredible speeds.
See also: back, lead
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lead someone or something back (to someone or something)

to guide someone or something back to someone or something. Someone will have to lead me back to camp. I just know I'll get lost if I go by myself. The park ranger led back the hikers to their tent. I will lead them back.
See also: back, lead

lead back (to some place)

[for a pathway] to return to a place. This path leads back to the camp. I hope it leads back. It seems to be going the wrong way.
See also: back, lead
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • break one's neck, to
  • come back and see us
  • carry (one) back
  • carry back
  • be/go back to square one
  • a while back
  • back to square one
  • back
  • back at (something or some place)
  • ago
References in classic literature
"Besides," thought I, "all roads lead back to Europe; and the unicorn may be amiable enough to hurry me towards the coast of France.
20000 Leagues Under The Sea
Despite efforts from June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos to take the lead back to SMB, the KaTropa were able to hold them off.
KaTropa storm back, smother Beermen SMB to take Game 3
The Dumfries men took a healthy 3-1 lead back home after a midweek win in Kirkcaldy.
MARK WALKER'S VERDICT Queen of [...]
There are secrets within secrets, and most of them lead back to the Nazareth Mental Hospital and the part it played in its Suffolk community.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
His third early in the second half gave Leeds the lead back after the Dragons had hauledthemselves level with a Lucas Albert try.
YAHA IS A FORCE TO BREAK LEEDS
San Beda had the chance to take the lead after Tyron Chan muffed a pair of freebies, but the Red Lions couldn't capitalize as CEU stretched its lead back to three on Fuentes' free throws.
CEU blows 30-point lead, escapes San Beda for 3-0 record
Suddenly the Indians were within 45-38 with 3:33 left in the third quarter, but the Wildcats answered with a triple from Carson Reynolds and had the lead back to 14 moments later.
Du Quoin loses to Sparta, A-J
But Stour snatched the lead back on the stroke of half time when Harrison grabbed his second try.
Harrison hat-trick sees Stour home
While he believes Yelp will still add net advertisers over time, the misexecution in and challenges to the strategy need further examination by management that will take time to lead back to a net benefit.
Yelp downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush
In all likelihood, the poisoning of MI6's double agent in Salisbury will lead back to Russia, but Johnson's eagerness to pin the blame on Moscow was yet another mistake.
Putin foot in it; VOICE OF THE
FRANCK RIBERY created a goal in each half as Bayern Munich came from behind to take a first-leg lead back to Germany.
SEVILLA....1 BAYERN....2
Nevertheless, the Warriors' resilience prevailed and they were able to remain focused and composed bringing the lead back out to maintain their 11 goal difference at the end of the quarter.
Warriors 2nds get campaign on track; Netball
"Whatever else we do, wherever we all go, all roads lead back to Baker Street - and it always feels like coming home.
Benedict delighted with Sherlock return
That gave the 35-yearold a three-shot lead and seemingly one hand on the trophy, but after dropped shots at the 15th and 16th cut his three-shot lead back to one, the former Ryder Cup star sealed the win in style with an eagle from 45 feet on the par-five 18th.
Casey battles back for title; GOLF
A meteor is a Geminid if its path, followed backward far across the sky, would lead back to a point close to Castor in Gemini.
Geminid meteor alert!