lead someone up the garden path

Meaning

This idiom means to deceive, mislead, or give someone false clues or promises, often over a period of time. It is used when someone intentionally makes another person believe something that isn't true, especially in romantic or professional relationships.

Examples

• She completely led him up the garden path about her plans to move in with him.

  She completely led him up the garden path about her plans to move in with him.

• I realized the company had been leading me up the garden path about a promotion.

  I realized the company had been leading me up the garden path about a promotion.

• Don't lead her up the garden path if you aren't looking for a serious relationship.

  Don't lead her up the garden path if you aren't looking for a serious relationship.

• He thought they were getting married, but she was just leading him up the garden path.

  He thought they were getting married, but she was just leading him up the garden path.

• The salesman led us up the garden path regarding the true cost of the car.

  The salesman led us up the garden path regarding the true cost of the car.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He led me to the garden path.

  ✓ He led me up the garden path.

  The correct preposition is 'up,' not 'to.'

• ✗ She is leading me up a garden path.

  ✓ She is leading me up the garden path.

  The idiom uses the definite article 'the,' not the indefinite 'a.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I thought he wanted to marry me, but he was just ___.

  💡 misleading me or stringing me along

  Show answer

  leading me up the garden path

• Stop ___ about the job offer if you've already hired someone else.

  💡 deceiving or giving false hope to them

  Show answer

  leading them up the garden path