What does “Lead someone up the garden path” mean?
"Lead someone up the garden path" means to deceive or mislead someone.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He led me up the garden path with his promises of wealth and success.
Example
Don't let him lead you up the garden path with his smooth talk.
Example
She was led up the garden path by her so-called friend
Is “Lead someone up the garden path” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Lead someone up the garden path” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Lead someone up the garden path” effectively in context?
You can use "Lead someone up the garden path" to describe a situation where someone is deceiving or misleading another person. It implies that the person being deceived is being led astray or taken on a false path. For example, if someone is making false promises or giving misleading information, you might say, 'Don't let him lead you up the garden path with his smooth talk.'
- 1Relationships
She was led up the garden path by her so-called friend, who turned out to be untrustworthy.
- 2Business
He led me up the garden path with his promises of wealth and success, only to leave me with nothing.
- 3Advice
Don't trust everything you hear. Some people will try to lead you up the garden path with false information.
Similar phrases to “Lead someone up the garden path”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Lead someone up the garden path” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Lead someone up the garden path" is unknown.
Is “Lead someone up the garden path” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Lead someone up the garden path" is not as common in everyday conversation compared to other idioms. However, it is still used occasionally, especially in informal contexts.
What tone does “Lead someone up the garden path” have?
"Lead someone up the garden path" conveys a tone of deception and betrayal. It is often used to express disappointment or frustration towards someone who has misled or deceived another person.
Can “Lead someone up the garden path” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "lead someone up the garden path" is more commonly used in informal settings. It may not be appropriate for formal situations such as business meetings or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He led me up the garden path with his false promises.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Don't let him lead you up the garden path!' to warn someone about being deceived.
