lead by the nose meaning

UK /liːd baɪ ðə nəʊz/ US /lɛd baɪ ðə noʊz/ 4 syllables

lead by the nose (verb): conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end.

Definition of lead by the nose

  1. conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
    • He bamboozled his professors into thinking that he knew the subject well

    Synonyms: bamboozle, snow, hoodwink, pull the wool over someone's eyes, play false

    Type of: deceive

How to pronounce lead by the nose

lead by the nose is pronounced /liːd baɪ ðə nəʊz/ in British English and /lɛd baɪ ðə noʊz/ in American English. It has 4 syllables.

More about lead by the nose on Wikipedia.