lead (one) down the garden path

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lead (one) down the garden path

To mislead or deceive one. Don't lead me down the garden path—tell me what is really going on here.
See also: down, garden, lead, path

lead someone down the garden path

 and lead someone up the garden path
to deceive someone. Now, be honest with me. Don't lead me down the garden path. That cheater really led her up the garden path.
See also: down, garden, lead, path

lead down the garden path

Also, lead up the garden path. Deceive someone. For example, Bill had quite different ideas from Tom about their new investment strategy; he was leading him down the garden path . This expression presumably alludes to the garden path as an intentional detour. [Early 1900s] Also see lead on.
See also: down, garden, lead, path

lead down garden path

Deceive. The path to which the phrase refers meant an intentional detour, so to escort someone down it was to mislead a person who relied on your honesty.
See also: down, garden, lead, path
References in periodicals archive ?
Her love for her hobby quickly developed into a passion, but she had no way of knowing it would soon lead her down the garden path to a whole new life.
Down the garden path to new career
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