Please tell me the meaning of " give it a lead over something".
I read an article below.
"It(Verizon) has spent billions building the largest next-generation LTE network, giving it a healthy lead over chief rival AT&T Inc. T -0.32%, something that is likely appealing to customers buying the latest smartphones."

About the expression "giving it a healthy lead over".
In this situation, does it mean that " Verizon is up on the list higher than AT&T" ?
If so, can I also say "Verizon has a lead over AT&T" or "Verizon takes a lead over AT&T" ?

Thank you.

Question

Please tell me the meaning of " give it a lead over something".
I read an article below.
"It(Verizon) has spent billions building the largest next-generation LTE network, giving it a healthy lead over chief rival AT&T Inc. T -0.32%, something that is likely appealing to customers buying the latest smartphones."

About the expression "giving it a healthy lead over".
In this situation, does it mean that " Verizon is up on the list higher than AT&T" ?
If so, can I also say "Verizon has a lead over AT&T" or "Verizon takes a lead over AT&T" ?

Thank you.

Answer

It's like saying it has an advantage, in the given situation.

I believe the term comes from horse races. The horse that is winning is "in the lead," meaning the are leading the pack of horses. Thus, to put someone in the lead means to put them in the winning position. To "have a lead" over someone means you are leading them, meaning you are beating them.

Thus, "having a lead" is an advantageous position. To have a "healthy lead" means that your advantage is very strong, or that you are very far ahead. We do not say to have a "sick lead," (unless, it is meant in the colloquial sense, which then also means "good lead").

Answer

Verizon has more sales or a greater share of the market than AT&T.
If Verizon's sales were always greater than AT&T, you can say "Verizon has a lead over AT&T".
If Verizon's sales were lower than AT&T's before new but Verizon recently increased its sales over AT&T, you can say both sentences.

Answers · 4

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