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- lead by the nose
lead by the nose
lead someone by the nose
1. Fig. to force someone to go somewhere (with you); to lead someone by coercion. John had to lead Tom by the nose to get him to the opera. I'll go, but you'll have to lead me by the nose.
2. Fig. to guide someone very carefully and slowly. (As if the person were not very smart.) He will never find his way through the tax form unless you lead him by the nose. Don't lead me by the nose! I'm coming!
lead somebody by the nose
to control someone so that they do exactly what you want them to do He thinks she's perfect, and she leads him around by the nose.
Etymology: based on the way that a cow is sometimes led by rope attached to a ring in its nose
lead somebody by the nose
to control someone and make them do exactly what you want them to do
Usage notes: Cows are often led by a ring which has been put through their nose.
(usually passive)
They simply didn't know what they were doing and they were led by the nose by a manipulative government. lead by the nose
Dominate or control someone, as in "The Moor ... will tenderly be led by the nose as asses are" (Shakespeare, Othello, 1:3). This expression alludes to an animal being led by a ring passed through its nostrils. [Late 1500s]