lead by the nose

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lead by the nose (third-person singular simple present leads by the nose, present participle leading by the nose, simple past and past participle led by the nose)

1. (idiomatic, figurative) To cause to follow blindly.
   • 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Suitors”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:

     let him choose well his referendaries , for else he may be led by the nose

• lead someone down the garden path
• red herring