lead off v 1: teach immoral behavior to; "It was common practice to lead off the young ones, and teach them bad habits" [syn: {lead astray}] 2: set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life" [syn: {begin}, {start}, {commence}] [ant: {end}]