to lead off

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lead \Lead\, v. i.
   1. To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before,
      showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to
      have precedence or pre["e]minence; to be first or chief;
      -- used in most of the senses of lead, v. t.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain
      place; as, the path leads to the mill; gambling leads to
      other vices.
      [1913 Webster]

            The mountain foot that leads towards Mantua. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {To lead off} or {To lead out}, to go first; to begin; as,
      Mickey Mantle led off in the fifth inning of the game.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]
    

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