garden-path

[ gahr-dn-path, -pahth ]

/ ˈgɑr dnˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

adjective

noting or pertaining to a sentence that is easily parsed incorrectly because its beginning suggests it has an interpretation that it clearly does not have.

Nearby words

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for garden-path

With another little laugh, she slipped up the garden-path and into the house.
Scribner's Magazine, Volume 26, July 1899|Various
As for Luttrell himself, he is standing quite still, in the middle of the garden-path, staring at this living Flora.
Molly Bawn|Margaret Wolfe Hamilton
I was glad to escape Leah, so I went quickly up the garden-path.
Uncle Max|Rosa Nouchette Carey
It was dull enough till quite late, and then I stepped out with Mr. Parti, and walked up and down a garden-path.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 5, No. 28, February, 1860|Various

She wrenched open the gate, rushed up the garden-path, and with trembling hands knocked loudly at the door.
Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 698|Various