garden-path

American  

[gahr-dn-path, -pahth] / ˈgɑr dnˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

adjective

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

garden-path

Now it wore a wild and anxious look that startled Lilias, as, instead of passing along the high-road, he rapidly came up the garden-path towards her.

From The Orphans of Glen Elder by Margaret M. (Margaret Murray) Robertson

He ran backwards and forwards at a great pace for some moments, then he gave a spring forward and downward towards the narrow garden-path.

From The Strange Story Book by Mrs. Andrew Lang

As he had come up the garden-path, Rupert had seen a vision and had stopped unconsciously that instant.

From In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Sir Penthony lowers his eyes and shifts his aggressive position; Lowry, with bent head, and without another word, walks away from her down the garden-path out of the gate, and disappears—for years.

From Molly Bawn by Margaret Wolfe Hamilton

The two stooping figures went down the garden-path, with Rob’s stalwart form towering behind, and the three women who loved them watched from the window, and murmured benedictions in their hearts.

From More About Peggy by Unknown