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Lead by the Nose

What Does "Lead by the Nose" Mean?

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"Lead by the nose" is an English idiom. It means "to control or dominate someone to an excessive degree."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "lead by the nose" used in a sentence:
  • She leads him by the nose, and he just follows along.
  • You can't lead everyone by the nose and expect them to still respect you.
  • He's so gullible that anyone can lead him by the nose.
meaning for lead by the nose

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Lead by the Nose" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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