led them down a garden path

Definitions

• deceive or mislead someone
  To trick or mislead someone into believing something that is not true

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

Examples of led them down a garden path

• The salesperson promised that the product would drastically improve our profits, but it turned out to be a dud. We felt like we had been led down a garden path.

  The idiom "led down a garden path" is used when someone leads you to believe something that turns out to be false or misleading. In this example, the salesperson convinced us that the product would be highly profitable, but in reality, it was ineffective. We were lured into a false sense of hope, much like someone might unknowingly walk down a path that leads to a garden, only to realize it doesn't go anywhere.

• The politician made a number of grand promises during her campaign, but they turned out to be empty. The voters felt like they had been led down a garden path.

  This example illustrates the use of the idiom in a political context. The politician's inflated statements led her supporters to believe that she had all the answers, only to discover that she couldn't deliver on her promises.

• The chef claimed that his new fusion dish was a masterpiece, but it was a complete disaster. We felt like we had been led down a garden path.

  This example demonstrates the use of the idiom in the context of food and cooking. The chef's exaggerated description of his dish lured us into trying it, only to be disappointed by the final result.

• The researcher promised us that his study results would be groundbreaking, but they turned out to be inconclusive. We felt like we had been led down a garden path.

  This final example shows how the idiom can be applied in an academic setting. The researcher's oversell of his research findings left us with false expectations, much like someone might anticipate finding a hidden garden at the end of a winding path.Overall, the idiom "led down a garden path" is a colorful and descriptive way to express the feeling of being misled or deceived. It's a vivid and memorable phrase that can help to convey the sense of frustration and disappointment that often comes with being led astray.

• During the job interview, the candidate's elaborate explanations and impressive-sounding jargon led the HR manager down a garden path.

  The candidate gave false or misleading information, promising great results but ultimately failing to deliver, much like how a garden path may convince someone to follow a route that ultimately leads nowhere.

• The political speech was filled with fluff and empty promises, leading the audience down a garden path.

  The politician presented a message that sounded promising but lacked substance or feasibility, much like a garden path that seems like a clear route but eventually leads to a dead end.

• The salesperson's persuasive words led the customer down a garden path, convincing them to buy a product that didn't meet their needs.

  The salesperson used deceptive tactics to lure the customer into buying a product that was not suitable for their requirements, much like a garden path that appears appealing but doesn't lead to the intended destination.

• The misleading statistics presented in the report led the stakeholders down a garden path.

  The report contained false or misinterpreted data that misled the stakeholders into making wrong decisions, much like how a garden path can lead someone to take a wrong turn.

Conclusion

The idiom "led them down a garden path" can be used to describe the act of deceiving or misleading someone into believing something that is not true. It can also be used to caution and advise against engaging in a particular activity or task that will not result in any positive outcome or benefit.

Origin of "led them down a garden path"

The origin of the idiom "led them down a garden path" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. The phrase likely stems from the image of leading someone down a pleasant garden path, only to deceive them or lead them astray. This idiom has since become a common expression in the English language, used to convey the idea of being deceived or misled. An example of this idiom in use can be found in literature or everyday conversation, where someone might say, "Don't let him lead you down a garden path with his false promises."