leading off   1 [leed] verb (used with object), led, leading.
verb (used without object), led, leading. to take the directing
or principal part. Cards. to make the first play. a person or
thing that leads. a leash. the principal part in a play. the
person who plays it. the card, suit, etc., so played. the main
and often most important news story. the act of taking the
offensive. the direction of a rope, wire, or chain. Also called
leader. any of various devices for guiding a running rope. an
open channel through a field of ice. a lode. an auriferous
deposit in an old riverbed. the act of aiming a gun ahead of a
moving target. Baseball. an act or instance of leading. most
important; principal; leading; first: lead editorial; lead
elephant. Verb phrases lead off, to take the initiative; begin.
Baseball. to be the first player in the batting order or the
first batter in an inning. lead on, to induce to follow an
unwise course of action; mislead. to cause or encourage to
believe something that is not true. lead o