lead by the nose

present singular third person leads by the nose · participle present leading by the nose · participle past led by the nose · past led by the nose

1. figurativelyidiomaticTo cause to follow blindly.

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

   1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Suitors”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

   1 more example

   Because he was outorganized, Hutchinson cries foul. Sorry, but I simply cannot accept his view that Alliance members are mindless lackeys lead by the nose by the "leadership."

   1983 December 24, Eric E. Rofes, “On Growing Pains”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 23, page 5

   Synonyms: lead around by the nose

2. figurativelyidiomaticTo lead by example and painstaking explanation, as one might do for remedial teaching.

   We had to lead some users by the nose because they couldn't understand even the simplest instructions.