garden

[gahr-dn] /ˈgɑr dn/
noun
1.
a plot of ground, usually near a house, where flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or herbs are cultivated.
2.
a piece of ground or other space, commonly with ornamental plants, trees, etc., used as a park or other public recreation area:
a public garden.
3.
a fertile and delightful spot or region.
4.
British, yard2 (def 1).
adjective
5.
pertaining to, produced in, or suitable for cultivation or use in a garden:
fresh garden vegetables; garden furniture.
6.
garden-variety.
verb (used without object)
7.
to lay out, cultivate, or tend a garden.
verb (used with object)
8.
to cultivate as a garden.
Idioms
9.
lead up / down the garden path, to deceive or mislead in an enticing way; lead on; delude:
The voters had been led up the garden path too often to take a candidate's promises seriously.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English gardin < Old North French gardin, Old French jardin < Germanic; compare Old High German gartin-, German Garten, yard2
Related forms
gardenable, adjective
gardenless, adjective
gardenlike, adjective
ungardened, adjective
well-gardened, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for lead down the garden path

garden

/ˈɡɑːdən/
noun
1.
(Brit)
  1. an area of land, usually planted with grass, trees, flowerbeds, etc, adjoining a house US and Canadian word yard
  2. (as modifier): a garden chair
2.
  1. an area of land used for the cultivation of ornamental plants, herbs, fruit, vegetables, trees, etc
  2. (as modifier): garden tools, related adjective horticultural
3.
(often pl) such an area of land that is open to the public, sometimes part of a park: botanical gardens
4.
  1. a fertile and beautiful region
  2. (as modifier): a garden paradise
5.
(modifier) provided with or surrounded by a garden or gardens: a garden flat
6.
(informal) lead a person up the garden path, to mislead or deceive a person
adjective
7.
(informal) common or garden, ordinary; unexceptional
verb
8.
to work in, cultivate, or take care of (a garden, plot of land, etc)
Derived Forms
gardenless, adjective
garden-like, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French gardin, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German gart enclosure; see yard² (sense 1)
Word Origin and History for lead down the garden path

garden

n.

c.1300, from Old North French gardin (13c., Modern French jardin), from Vulgar Latin hortus gardinus "enclosed garden," via Frankish *gardo, from Proto-Germanic *gardaz- (cf. Old Frisian garda, Old Saxon gardo, Old High German garto, German Garten "garden," Old English geard "enclosure," see yard (n.1)). Italian giardino, Spanish jardin are from French.

Garden-party is by 1843. Garden variety in figurative sense first recorded 1928. To lead someone up the garden path "entice, deceive" is attested by 1925.

v.

1570s, from garden (n.). Related: Gardened; gardening.

Idioms and Phrases with lead down the garden path

lead down the garden path

Also, lead up the garden path. Deceive someone. For example, Bill had quite different ideas from Tom about their new investment strategy; he was leading him down the garden path. This expression presumably alludes to the garden path as an intentional detour. [ Early 1900s ]
Also see: lead on

garden

In addition to the idiom beginning with garden also see: lead down the garden path