take the lead
1. To be the primary person working on something; to assert oneself as the leader. I have meetings all day, so please take the lead on this project, Joan.
2. To become the leader in a competition by overtaking another player, team, or participant. And with that goal, the home team takes the lead! Now that exam scores have been factored in, Amelia has taken the lead in the race for valedictorian.