lead down garden path

lead (one) down the garden path

To mislead or deceive one. Don't lead me down the garden path—tell me what is really going on here.See also: down, garden, lead, path

lead down garden path

Deceive. The path to which the phrase refers meant an intentional detour, so to escort someone down it was to mislead a person who relied on your honesty.See also: down, garden, lead, path