lay someone out— 1. knock a person to the ground (unconscious): The champion laid the contender out in the second round. 2. (coll.) exhaust or adversely affect smb.: I’ve had influenza and it laid me out for two very unpleasant and painful weeks. 3. (of a dead body) prepare for burial: Two of the women […]
Difference between Lay over and Put over
lay over—(U.S.) make an overnight stop on a journey (by plane): This flight lays over at Great Falls before completing the journey to New York. put over —(of a ship) move to one side: There’s a sailing boat coming towards us, you’d better put over to give her room.
Difference between Lay out the fire and Put out the fire
lay out the fire—make a fire start burning: He was still turned away from me, intent on his task of laying out the fire. put out the fire—make a light or fire stop burning: Put out all fires before leaving the camping ground.
Difference between Lay one’s hands on something and Lay one’s hands to something
lay one’s hands on something —(also: put one’s hands on something) 1. find or locate smth.: I can’t lay my hands on the account book—have you seen it? 2. gain possession of smth.: I’d like to know where I can lay my hands on that special tobacco. lay one’s hands to something—start work on smth.; […]
Difference between Lay of the land and Lay the land
lay of the land —(also: lie of the land) the state of affairs: I think my success was due to my waiting and not rushing in before I saw the lay of the land. lay the land—(Nautical) sail out to such a distance as to lose sight of land: We found ourselves to be at […]
Difference between Lay figure and Lay person
lay figure— 1. a wooden figure of the human body, used as a model for the arrangement of draperies, etc.: Her aunt asked her to stand as a sort of lay figure on which to display them [shawls]. 2. smb. of little importance; an insignificant person: At chapel the registrar is the important person, and […]
Difference between Lay down one’s job and Lie down on the job
lay down one’s job —(also: lay down one’s office) resign from a position of power or responsibility: Buddy Darden is just one of the people who was brave enough to lay down his job in Congress. lie down on the job—be irresponsible or careless in one’s job; fail to work as hard as one should: […]
Difference between Lay cash on the barrelhead and Lay cash on the line
lay cash on the barrelhead—(also: put cash on the barrelhead) pay money at the time of the transaction: It remains to be seen whether the Russians are ready to lay cash on the barrelhead. lay cash on the line —(also: put cash on the line) allocate money; make a financial commitment: You’re not about to […]
Difference between Lay away money and Lay out money
lay away money—save some money: I am trying hard to lay away enough money to buy a house. lay out money—spend a certain amount of money: She had to lay out a lot of money to get her car fixed.
Difference between Lay a weight on something and Lay weight on something
lay a weight on something—(also: put a weight on something) add weight to smth.; make smth. heavy: Try either bending a warm board carefully by hand, or lay a weight on it overnight. lay weight on something—emphasize smth.; treat smth. as being particularly important: We have laid weight on the problem of quality ever since […]
Difference between Lay a finger on something and Lay one’s finger on something
lay a finger on something—harm or interfere with smth. however slightly: Nobody is going, within the foreseeable future, to lay a finger on the trade unions. lay one’s finger on something—(also: put one’s finger on something) 1. find or locate smth.: So far I haven’t been able to lay my finger on the book you […]
Difference between Lay a finger on someone and Put the finger on someone
lay a finger on someone—(also: set a finger on someone) touch or harm a person however slightly: I never ever laid a finger on him. We were very good friends. put the finger on someone —(sl.) inform against smb.; denounce a person to the police: If I’m grabbed with this junk I’ll rot in jail […]