leading light Idiom, Proverb

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leading light

A person who is well-respected and viewed as important to a group. As a leading light of the human rights organization, he helped improve working conditions for millions of people around the world.See also: leading, light

a leading light

mainly BRITISHCOMMON If someone is a leading light of an organization or group, they are one of the most important, active, and successful people in it. He is a leading light in the campaign to rid football of racism. She had been a leading light in the amateur dramatic society in Kuala Lumpur. Note: A leading light was a light which was placed at the entrance to a harbour or shallow channel of water, as a guide for ships. See also: leading, light

a ˌleading ˈlight (in/of something)

an important and respected member of a group, an organization, a profession, etc: Mr Harris is a leading light in the local business community.See also: leading, light

See also:

• leading light
• man of few words
• man of few words, a
• of few words, man of
• a man of few words
• a man/woman of few words
• a woman of few words
• a/the black sheep
• black sheep
• the black sheep

leading light

leading light
An important or influential individual, as in Jim was a leading light in his community. This expression, alluding to moral guidance, dates from about 1870, but terms such as a shining light have been used for an outstanding person since the first half of the 1500s.

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leading light|lead|leading|light

n. phr. A prominent person in a community, company, or group. Alan is the leading light of our discussion group on music.