II. shepherd2 verb [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to lead or guide a group of people somewhere, making sure that they go where you want them to go
shepherd somebody into/out of/towards etc something
The tour guides shepherded the rest of the group onto the bus. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
lead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently:
Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc:
I took her to see a film. Matt’s taking me in his car.guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way:
Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there:
A waitress showed us to our table. We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign:
The sign back there pointed this way.escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way:
He was escorted from the court by police. The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job:
His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people:
The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere:
He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away. Can you direct me to the station?be in the lead He was in the lead after the first lap of the race.have the lead He has a one-shot lead in the golf tournament.take the lead (=start being in the lead instead of someone else) Lewis Hamilton has just taken the lead in the Monaco Grand Prix.put somebody in the lead (=make someone be in the lead) Ronaldo’s goal put Portugal in the lead.give somebody the lead (=make someone be in the lead) A goal in the 10th minute gave England the lead.extend/increase/stretch sb’s lead (=make the lead bigger) The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.throw away a lead (=to lose the lead) Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead.blow a lead informal (=to lose the lead) They managed to blow a 22-point lead.share the lead (=when more than one player or team is in the lead ) At the end of the first round, two golfers share the lead.a big lead The Bruins had a big lead at half-time.a clear lead The ruling Labour Party has a clear lead in the opinion polls.a comfortable lead (=a big lead) The Wildcats had a comfortable lead in the first half.a commanding lead (=a big lead) Alonso raced into a commanding lead.an early lead (=a lead early in a game, election etc) Liverpool took an early lead with a goal from Steven Gerrard.a one-shot/two-goal/three point etc lead (=a lead of a specific amount) Goals by Keane and Lennon gave Tottenham a two-goal lead. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲