Lead astray

Meaning

The idiom "lead astray" means to cause someone to make a mistake or take a wrong path, often intentionally or unintentionally. It can also mean to lead someone into temptation or corruption.

Usage

• John's bad advice led him astray and he lost his job.
• The politician was accused of leading his followers astray by making false promises.
• The salesperson was criticized for leading customers astray by selling them products they didn't need.
• The leader was blamed for leading the team astray by not communicating effectively.
• The group of friends were led astray by a misleading map and ended up getting lost in the forest.

Roots and History

The idiom "lead astray" has been used since the 16th century, with its earliest known use being recorded in 1576. It comes from the Old English verb "leden," which means "to lead," and the adjective "astray," which means "off course." The idiom has remained largely unchanged over time and is used widely in contemporary language.

Synonyms in English

• Mislead
• Deceive
• Sway
• Manipulate
• Influence negatively

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "tromper" (to deceive)
• Spanish: "engañar" (to deceive)
• German: "betrügen" (to deceive)
• Italian: "tradire" (to betray)
• Portuguese: "enganar" (to deceive)

Similar Idioms

• on board

• lovey-dovey

• in the driver’s seat