leading astray
Definition
Noun: - The act of enticing others into sinful ways: The action of deliberately tempting, persuading, or misleading someone into morally wrong or corrupt behavior.
Usage
This noun refers specifically to the action or process of causing someone to go astray morally or ethically. It is often used in contexts involving temptation, corruption, or negative influence.
Examples
- Noun:
- The preacher warned against the leading astray of young people by bad influences.
- She was accused of the leading astray of her colleagues into dishonest business practices.
Advanced Usage
- As a gerund/noun phrase: The term functions as a noun (gerund) derived from the phrasal verb "lead astray." It names the specific act of misleading.
- His leading astray of the entire community was considered a great betrayal.
Variants and Related Words
- Lead astray (phrasal verb): To cause someone to make a mistake or to behave immorally.
- Bad company can lead a person astray.
- Misleading (adj.): Giving the wrong idea or impression.
- Temptation (n.): The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.
- Corruption (n.): Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, or the process of making someone morally depraved.
Synonyms
- Seduction: The act of persuading someone to do something, often morally wrong, by making it seem attractive.
- Subversion: The undermining of power, authority, or a moral system.
- Decoying: Luring or enticing someone into a trap or dangerous situation.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Lead on: To deceive someone, especially about your intentions.
- He led her on, making her believe he was single.
- Lead into: To cause someone to become involved in something gradually.
- His curiosity led him into trouble.
Related Idioms
- Lead down the garden path: To deceive or mislead someone.
- The salesman led us down the garden path about the car's condition.
- A wolf in sheep's clothing: Someone who hides malicious intent behind a friendly appearance, capable of leading others astray.
- Be careful of him; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Noun
-
the act of enticing others into sinful ways
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