lead the field

lead the field

1. To be the most successful or talented person in a particular sport, hobby, field of study, business, etc. She's been leading the field with her groundbreaking research into cancer cell structures. He led the field for nearly two decades in the number of home runs hit in a single season.
2. Of an athlete, to be performing at a much higher standard than one's competitor(s), and having the best chance of winning. He has been leading the field since the moment the race began.
See also: field, lead
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lead the field

COMMON
1. If a person, company or organization leads the field in an activity, they are the best or most successful at it. The Americans continue to lead the field when it comes to child actors.
2. If you lead the field in a competition, you are in the best position and are likely to win. US and European cyclists usually lead the field. This could be due to their hi-tech equipment. Torrance led the field after two rounds of the Kronenbourg Open.
See also: field, lead
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • come from left field
  • come out of left field
  • reverse (one's) field
  • reverse field
  • Puppy Bowl
  • from left field
  • field a question
  • take the field
  • greatest of all time
  • God’s acre
References in periodicals archive
The Paul Hennessy-trained daughter of Deanridge Viking and So Said Sarah flew from trap three to lead the field into the turn, but was headed at that point by Coconut Comrades.
Cornerhouse turns it on at Tralee
The NASCAR partnership demonstrates Nutrien Ag Solutions' commitment to help growers lead the field. Besides successful racing careers, both drivers have ties to agriculture--Elliott has a row crop farm in Virginia and Ross is an 8th generation watermelon farmer from Florida.
NUTRIEN'S NASCAR TEAM
CHRIS KELLY got his Scottish PGA Championship defence off to a flier with a 62 to lead the field on eight under.
FAST START BLISS FOR CHAMP CHRIS; GOLF
He will also directly lead the field managing directors, developing and executing on marketing, branding and distribution strategies and building partnerships with underwriting, claims, risk engineering, service operations, third party administrator services and other partners.
Marsh's Parks Joins The Hartford's Specialty Commercial Sales Unit
For over 50 years "Lead the Field" has inspired established professional leaders and aspiring young scholars to pursue Earl Nightingale's principles success into their business practice through creating and accomplishing their goals, while impacting and influencing change in others.
Lead the Field
Karachi-based Tushna, wife of leading driver Ronnie Patel, displayed her brilliant skills and control over the vehicle to lead the field.
Tushna wins ladies title in Cholistan Desert Rally
Khawaja Saad Rafique said that he had refused to take up ministry of science and technology citing his incapability to lead the field.
Lawmakers not as 'despicable' as people think: Saad Rafique
And for that reason McDowell was last night playing down his chances in Versailles after he and South African Richard Sterne reached five-under par to lead the field by a shot.
G-MAC BACK INTO THE GROOVE; GOLF
The Condon junior threw a season-best 123-3 last week to lead the field.
Class 1A Girls Outlook
8, Angelo Kenneth and Joselle Jerome: currently lead the field with three wins each from derbies held Dec.
PSG hosts 100 fights today
The Arctic Monkeys lead the field with seven nominations.
Gallaghers fight it out at NMEs
John Rocker will lead the field sales organization as senior vice president, sales.
Heidelberg USA
The young UAE prodigy fired a sizzling net six-under-par 67 in the first round and followed it with another superb net 72 to lead the field by a good five shots, going into the final round.
UAE gear up to finish in top three
Among the acts hoping for glory will be Tinie Tempah, Mumford And Sons, The xx and Plan B who lead the field in terms of nominations.
New tracks for racer Hamilton at Brits; UKBULLETINS
McNish shrugged off a stomach bug to take over the wheel of his Audi from team-mate Tom Kristensen and lead the field after six hours of the endurance classic - a lap ahead of the sister Audi driven by Marco Werner.
Motor Racing: Jacques Villeneuve