Meaning & use
mantle of leadership
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformalfigurative
The role or duty of being a leader, especially when it is passed on from someone else.
Grammar: Used as a singular noun phrase. Common before take on, assume, or inherit.
Patterns
- take on the mantle of leadership
- assume the mantle of leadership
- inherit the mantle of leadership
After the coach retired, the young captain took on the mantle of leadership.
She assumed the mantle of leadership during the company's hardest year.
The new prime minister inherited the mantle of leadership at a difficult time.
Common combinations
- take on the mantle of leadership
- He took on the mantle of leadership when the director resigned.
- assume the mantle of leadership
- She assumed the mantle of leadership with quiet confidence.
- inherit the mantle of leadership
- The son inherited the mantle of leadership from his father.
- pass the mantle of leadership
- The retiring CEO passed the mantle of leadership to her deputy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- leadership role
- More neutral and direct; it does not carry the idea of something passed down.
- reins of power
- Focuses on control and authority rather than the duty of leading.
Word family
- mantle noun
- A loose cloak, or figuratively a role or covering.
- leader noun
- A person who leads a group or organization.
- leadership noun
- The act or position of leading others.
Commonly confused: mantle of leadership or mantel?
mantle of leadership vs mantel
A mantel is the shelf above a fireplace; a mantle is a cloak or a role.
Practice
After the old manager left, Maria ______ the mantle of leadership.
Choose one answer.
'Took on' means accepted a role or duty. 'Took off' means left or removed, 'took after' means resembled, and 'took up' means started a hobby, so they do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mantle of leadership”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.