单词	lay
释义	lay1 verblay2 verblay3 adjectivelay4 noun laylay1 /leɪ/ verb Verb Table VERB TABLE lay Simple Form Present I, you, we, they lay he, she, it lays Past I, you, he, she, it, we, they laid Present perfect I, you, we, they have laid he, she, it has laid Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had laid Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will lay Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have laid Continuous Form Present I am laying he, she, it is laying you, we, they are laying Past I, he, she, it was laying you, we, they were laying Present perfect I, you, we, they have been laying he, she, it has been laying Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had been laying Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will be laying Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have been laying Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES Before you start packing, lay out all the clothes on the bed. Farley laid the gun down and surrendered. Moyers laid his case before the public. She laid $10 on the favorite, Golden Boy. She unfolded the map and laid it on the table. Turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS He laid the money on the table as they walked out to the stoop. He lay down against a wall. He was laid down on brittle pampas grass and then manhandled by the creatures. Hey, I told him to lay off of me in practice. It does little more than lay a foundation of principles. It was as if a fall lay within her that she wasn't able to make. She lay against the pillows, her whole body numb. There had been long weeks when he lay sunk in gloom and introspection. Thesaurus THESAURUS► install to put a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used: · The company is installing a new computer system.· How much does it cost to install central heating? ► put in to install something. Put in is more common in everyday English than install and is used especially about things that are not very complicated to install: · The workmen are coming to put the new windows in today.· They removed the bath and put in a shower instead. ► fit to put a new part or piece of equipment into or onto something: · I had to fit new locks after the burglary.· All vehicles must have seat belts fitted. ► lay to put cables or a carpet in the correct place on the ground: · Work on laying the telephone cables has not yet begun.· Two workmen were laying carpet tiles in the kitchen. Longman Language Activatorto blame someone for something► blame to say or think that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · It's your idea - don't blame me if it doesn't work.· Everyone wants to blame the referees when their team loses.blame somebody for something: · Democrats have blamed Republicans for the failure to reach an agreement.blame something on somebody/something: · Some of the women blamed their husbands' violence on drinking.blame yourself: · For many years I blamed myself for her death. ► say it's somebody's fault especially spoken to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · Everyone is saying it's my fault, but I didn't have anything to do with it.say it's sb's fault (that): · How can you say it's my fault that you lost your job? ► put/lay/place the blame on to say who you think is responsible for something bad that has happened, often unfairly or wrongly: · Don't try to put the blame on me!· Subsequent investigations placed the blame squarely on city officials.put/lay the blame for something on somebody/something: · Farmers have laid the blame for their problems entirely on EU policies. ► accuse to say that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · They're accusing me without any proof.accuse somebody of doing something: · Are you accusing her of lying?· The woman was accused of having beaten her four-year-old daughter.be accused of murder/armed robbery etc: · West has been accused of first-degree murder. ► apportion blame formal to officially say which people are responsible for something bad that has happened: · It is not easy for the Committee of Inquiry to apportion blame in such a complicated case. ► hold somebody responsible to say that it is someone's fault that something bad has happened because you think it was their duty to prevent this from happening: · It's your decision - you can't hold me responsible if it goes wrong.hold sb responsible for: · Alex still holds his mother responsible for the divorce.hold somebody partly/largely/entirely responsible: · The shipment never arrived, and we are holding the freight company entirely responsible.hold somebody personally responsible (=blame one person only): · If anything happens to Donny, I'll hold you personally responsible. ► reproach yourself to feel that something is your fault and wish that you had done more to prevent it from happening: · There's no point in reproaching yourself - there's nothing you could have done.reproach yourself for: · He reproached himself for not having called the police sooner. ► shoot the messenger to become angry at someone who tells you bad news even though they are not responsible for what has happened: · If you don't listen and instead shoot the messenger, you're not going to learn about the problems you need to deal with. to make something completely clear► make clear/make it clear · I tried to make clear exactly what I meant.make it clear (that) · The teacher made it clear that she would not allow talking in class.make something clear · We want to make the rules clear from the beginning.make yourself clear (=make it clear what you mean) · Am I making myself clear? ► clarify formal to make something clearer, especially because people have not completely understood it: · I hope this statement has helped to clarify a few points.clarify your position (=make it clear what you think about something and what your intentions are): · The senator tried to clarify his position on abortion. ► spell out to explain something in the clearest possible way, especially when you think it should be unnecessary to make things so simple or to give so many details: · Do I have to spell out to you how important this is to me?· Andrews was asked to spell out exactly how pensions would be affected.· Campbell spelled out the reasons why staff reductions were necessary. ► lay it on the line informal to state something clearly and strongly, especially something that other people may be unwilling to listen to or accept: · I'm going to lay it on the line. If you don't quit drinking, I'm going to leave you. ► in no uncertain terms if you say something in no uncertain terms , you make your meaning very clear, especially when you are annoyed with someone about something: · The president of the university condemned racism on campus in no uncertain terms.· You've got to let him know, in no uncertain terms, that you will no longer tolerate his abuse. to strongly criticize someone or something► attack to strongly and publicly criticize a person, plan, or belief that you completely disagree with: · Several actors have attacked proposals to cut the theatre's budget.attack somebody for (doing) something: · Union leaders attacked management for eliminating employee health benefits. ► slam to criticize someone or something very strongly in a public statement -- used especially in newspapers: · Sullivan never misses a chance to slam the tobacco industry.slam somebody for doing something: · Police slammed drivers for ignoring safety warnings. ► pan to strongly criticize something such as a film, play, or a performance by writing about it in a newspaper, talking about it on television etc: · The movie was panned by all the critics. ► tear something to shreds to find a lot of faults in someone's ideas or arguments and criticize them very severely: · After the prosecutor had presented his case, the defence lawyer tore his arguments to shreds. ► pillory if someone is pilloried , they are criticized very strongly and publicly by a lot of people: · Harper was pilloried in the press after his team's sixth consecutive defeat.· Middleton suffered the ultimate humiliation of being pilloried by his colleagues in front of the television cameras. ► do a hatchet job on informal to criticize every part of someone's character or work: · Field did a complete hatchet job on his former colleague at a cabinet meeting last week. ► lay into informal to criticize someone very strongly for something they have done: · The teacher really laid into us this morning -- told us we'd all fail if we didn't start doing some work.lay into about: · You should have heard my wife laying into me about coming home late last night. to exaggerate something► exaggerate to say that something is much bigger, better, worse, more important etc than it really is: · "He said you walked 30 miles." "No - he's exaggerating. It was only about 15."· Newspapers tend to exaggerate their influence on the way people vote.· The grass in the garden was about three feet high - I'm not exaggerating. ► blow something (up) out of all proportion to say that a situation or event is a lot worse or much more serious than it really is, especially with the result that people become very worried or annoyed: · The whole thing has been blown out of all proportion by the media.· It was just a simple disagreement. Don't blow it up out of all proportion. ► make too much of to treat something that has happened as though it were more important or serious than it really is: · The press made too much of his stupid remark. He was only joking.· She loved the fact that he'd sent her flowers, but she didn't want to make too much of it in case it meant nothing. ► overrated if someone or something is overrated , people say they are much better than they really are: · I think her books are very overrated.· Critics claim that many soccer players are overpaid, overrated and out of touch. ► overemphasize also overemphasise British to say that a part of something is more important than it really is, especially in relation to other things: · The report overemphasizes the role of the teacher. Children also learn from their parents and from each other.· The importance of strict hygiene in the preparation of food cannot be overemphasized. ► overstate to describe something in a way that makes it sound more important or serious than it really is, especially in order to persuade people about something: · The company says that the dangers of driving while using cell phones have been overstated.· Politicians typically overstate their case in order to get their point across. ► be melodramatic behaving as if a situation is much worse or more serious than it really is, especially with the result that you seem silly: · Oh, don't be so melodramatic! You're not the only one who has ever failed an exam.· She said she'd kill herself if he left her. She's always so melodramatic! ► lay it on informal to say that your situation is much worse or you feel much more upset than is really true, in order to make someone feel sorry for you: · She really laid it on - saying that her kids would starve if we didn't give you a job.lay it on thick: · Most charities lay it on so thick it's hard to know what the truth is. to lay something flat on a surface► lay something/somebody flat · Lay the skirt flat on an ironing board and cover it with a damp cloth.· The fish are laid flat on a board and scraped with the back of a knife to remove the scales.· Realizing the man had a back injury, we laid him flat on the ground and waited for the ambulance to arrive. ► lay down to carefully put something or someone into a horizontal position: lay something/somebody down: · We carried the injured child over to the bed and laid her down.lay something/somebody down on/in etc: · She folded her scarf and laid it down on the seat next to her.lay down something/somebody: · "That thing weighs a ton,'' said Ian, laying down the marble slab on the floor. to succeed in getting something, especially something that is difficult to get► get · Getting the money for the house wasn't easy.· If I get first prize it'll be a miracle. ► get hold of informal to get something that is rare or difficult to find: · Do you know where I can get hold of a German--Japanese dictionary?· These kids have very little difficulty getting hold of illegal weapons. ► get/lay your hands on informal to get something that you want or need very much, or have been trying hard to get: · I bet he can't wait to lay his hands on all that money.· When Ted was a kid, he read every book about space that he could get his hands on. ► land : land a job/contract/interview etc to get a job etc that was difficult to get - use this especially when someone was very lucky to do this: · A French company has landed a contract to supply computers to China.land yourself something British: · He's managed to land himself an amazing job in advertising. ► win : win somebody's support/trust/confidence etc to get someone's support, trust etc, especially by working hard to achieve this: · It will take time to win her trust.· Gandhi won the support of many liberals in England. ► clinch : clinch a deal/contract/championship etc to finally succeed in making a deal, winning a contract etc after trying very hard: · We finally clinched the contract by offering them a lower price.· Mitchell phoned from Chicago to say that he was close to clinching the deal.· Germany scored twice in the last ten minutes to clinch the championship. ► wangle informal to get something, especially something that is difficult to get, by using clever and often slightly dishonest methods: · "They're sending me to Paris next weekend.'' "How did you manage to wangle that?''wangle it so that: · Gail has wangled it so that we can get in without tickets. ► secure formal to succeed in getting official permission for or agreement about something, especially when this was difficult: · France was able to secure the release of two of its hostages.· Schiller secured funds for the special education project. to tell someone what you intend to do► make your intentions clear/known to let someone know what you intend to do, especially when you think that they do not expect it or will not like it: · The Senator has decided to run for president, and made his intentions known in a public statement Tuesday.· People who want to donate their organs after their deaths should make their intentions clear. ► put/lay your cards on the table informal to tell someone exactly what you intend to do, especially when you have kept it a secret before: · If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good.· If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table. to say you have a right to be the legal owner or something► lay claim to to say that you have a right to own something, especially something that is owned by someone else: · Both Britain and Argentina lay claim to the Falkland Islands.· A stranger who said he was my father's brother had arrived to lay claim to his fortune. ► stake your claim to say publicly that you believe you have a right to own something, especially when other people also say they have a right to own it: · If you want some of the furniture, now's the time to stake your claim. when two countries agree to stop fighting► ceasefire an agreement to stop fighting for a limited period of time, especially in order to talk about making peace: · The ceasefire won't last unless both sides are prepared to compromise.ceasefire between: · a ceasefire between the warring forces in the southceasefire agreement: · Both leaders signed the ceasefire agreement.agree to/achieve a ceasefire: · The government had failed in numerous attempts to achieve a ceasefire through negotiation.violate the ceasefire (=start fighting again during a ceasefire): · So far no one has violated the three-day ceasefire. ► truce an agreement to stop fighting for a short time, especially in order to discuss making peace: · The rebels have ended a 17-month-old truce, and could strike at any time.truce between: · a truce between the rival Christian forcescall/negotiate/secure etc a truce: · The two sides have been unable to negotiate a truce. ► peace treaty a written agreement between two enemies saying that they agree to end the war: · Both countries agreed to work towards a peace treaty.peace treaty between: · On July 12th, the South Korean President called for a peace treaty between the two states.negotiate/draw up/sign/conclude a peace treaty: · The left-wing guerrilla movement finally signed a peace treaty with the government on March 9th. ► make peace if two countries make peace , they stop fighting and agree to end the war: · France and Spain made peace in 1659 after a war lasting 25 years.make peace with: · The two armies made peace with each other in 1918. ► lay down arms if soldiers lay down their arms , they stop fighting - used especially in literature and descriptions of historical events: · No sooner had they laid down their arms than the English broke their word and attacked.· In March, the Popular Liberation Army laid down arms and registered as a political party. to provide the necessary conditions for something to happen► set the scene if an action or event sets the scene for another event, it provides the conditions in which that event can take place: set the scene for: · The negotiations in Geneva have set the scene for a possible agreement later in the year.· Recent events have set the scene for a potentially violent confrontation between the demonstrators and the army. ► pave the way to provide the conditions that will make something much easier to achieve in the future: pave the way for: · These experiments may pave the way for a vaccine against some forms of cancer.· The Married Women's Property Act paved the way for further legislation on women's rights. ► lay the foundations to provide the conditions that will make it possible for something successful to take place much later: lay the foundations for: · Long-term planning after the war laid the foundations for the nation's steady economic growth.lay the foundations of: · The two sides met in an attempt to lay the foundations of a future peace settlement. to provide something that is needed► provide if a person or organization provides something, they make it available for someone who needs it or wants it: · Your bank should be able to provide financial advice.provide something for somebody: · Free parking is provided for hotel guests.· The university should provide more facilities for disabled students.provide somebody with something: · The money will be used to provide the school with new computer equipment. ► supply to provide things for people, especially regularly and over a long period of time: supply something to somebody: · The company supplies fish to local shops and restaurants.supply somebody with something: · The US government was accused of supplying the rebels with arms and equipment. ► fund to provide money for a person or organization so that they can do something: · The museum is funded by the local authority.· They suspect that the rebels are being funded by Western governments. ► offer make something available to people if they want or need it, especially something that will be good for them, such as help, advice, or a chance to do something: offer something to somebody: · The booklet offers practical advice to new parents.offer somebody something: · The prison now offers inmates the chance to study and take exams.offer something: · The shelter offers some protection from the icy winds.· Sending goods by road offers greater speed and flexibility. ► equip to provide a person, group, or organization with the things they need for a particular kind of activity or work: equip somebody with something: · Police officers have been equipped with batons and riot shields in preparation for tonight's match.· We try to equip our students with the skills they will need in the world of work. ► issue if an organization or someone in an official position issues equipment, clothes, weapons etc, they provide these things because people need them: issue somebody with something: · Police in Britain are not usually issued with guns.· Visitors are issued with identity cards to wear inside the factory.issue something to somebody: · Blankets and warm clothes will be issued to those who need them. ► lay on British to provide things such as food or entertainment, so that they are available when people want them: lay on something: · I've asked the catering manager to lay on refreshments at the meeting.be laid on: · Games and entertainment were laid on in the afternoon. ► fix somebody up with informal to provide someone with something that they need, especially in an unexpected situation: · Can you fix me up with a bed for the night?· I took the car to a nearby garage, and they managed to fix me up with a new tyre. when you are in a situation where there are risks► risk to get into a situation where something very unpleasant might happen to you as a result of something you do: · Many refugees risk death or arrest in their attempts to flee persecution.risk doing something: · I don't want to risk offending your parents.risk your life: · The Carnegie Hero awards are given to those who risk their lives to save others. ► run a risk to be in a situation where something bad might happen to you, especially because of something you do: · The people who use these drugs are often unaware of the risks they are running.run a risk of doing something: · Men run a greater risk of dying from heart disease than women.· Rather than running the risks of using harmful pesticides in your garden, try using natural or organic methods of pest control. ► be at risk to be in a situation in which you risk being harmed or losing something very important or valuable: · The children were removed from the family because their father was violent and they were believed to be at risk.be at risk ofalso + for American: · Those with fair skin are more at risk of skin cancers than those with dark skin.· Some firms provide health checks for employees who are at risk of back injury. ► be in danger to be in a situation in which something harmful might happen, often caused by your own actions: · The test helps identify pregnant women who are in danger of miscarriage.be in danger of doing something: · The Democrats are in danger of alienating their traditional supporters.· If the team doesn't start winning, Coach Sanders could be in danger of losing his job. ► high-risk likely to be in particular danger of something bad happening, or likely to involve greater risks than usual: · high-risk occupations such as construction work· The AIDS awareness campaign was targeted mainly at high-risk groups, especially drug users and prostitutes. ► lay yourself open to also leave yourself open to American to do or say something that makes it likely that people will blame you, criticize you etc: · He has left himself open to charges of racism.· Any journalist who writes a story without checking his facts is simply laying himself open to criticism. ► be on dangerous ground/in dangerous territory to talk about a particular subject when there is a risk that you may offend, annoy, or or upset someone: · A boss who puts his arm around an employee is on dangerous ground and could risk charges of harassment.· I realized I was in dangerous territory, and steered the conversation away from his business interests. to say something publicly or officially► say to say something publicly or officially, using spoken or written words: say (that): · The President said he had no intention of resigning.· The rules say that sports shoes must be worn in the gym at all times.say what/how/who etc: · The police are refusing to say where Davies is being held. ► announce to officially tell people what has happened or what will happen, in a written or spoken public statement: · The Company announced profits of about $400 million.announce (that): · The Prime Minister has just announced there is to be a General Election next month.announce your engagement (=to officially tell people that you are going to get married): · They announced their engagement last year, but have still not set a date for their wedding. ► state formal to say something publicly or officially, especially in clear, definite language: · The government needs to clearly state its policy on possible military action.state that: · The law states that you are innocent until proved guilty.· Justice Cohen stated clearly that no further action would be taken. ► declare to officially state that a particular situation exists or a person or thing is in a particular condition: declare somebody insane/unfit/a traitor etc: · In the last century, mothers of illegitimate babies could be declared insane.· After nearly forty years' membership, the Communist party declared him a traitor.declare (that): · Finally, the doctor declared that the man was dead.declare war/an amnesty/a state of emergency: · In 1941 the US declared war on the Axis powers.· A state of emergency has been declared in Bangladesh. ► make/issue a statement to say or write something publicly in order to tell people what you intend to do, what your opinion is etc - use this especially about politicians, business leaders, and other people in authority: · The party's environment spokesman intends to make a statement either today or tomorrow.· The president's press corps issued this statement today. ► lay down to officially state the rules that say what is allowed in a particular situation: lay down something: · The new law lays down strict rules about the way guns may be bought and sold.lay down that: · It is laid down in the club rules that guests are not allowed in unless they are accompanied by a club member. ► be worded if something such as an official statement or document is worded in a particular way, the speaker or writer has deliberately chosen their words in that way to get a particular effect: · His speech to the police officers about racial violence had to be very carefully worded.· The Defence Secretary made a public statement about the crisis, but it was worded in such a way as to give very little information. to open something out and arrange it on a surface► spread/spread out to open something such as a sheet, a map, or a newspaper, and arrange it so that it lies flat on a table, the floor, or another surface: spread out something: · Jim spread out a blanket for her to sit on.spread something out/over/on etc: · Spread the map out and let's have a look.· I spread the towels over the radiator to dry. ► lay out to spread something on a table, floor etc, especially so that it can be more easily seen or used later: lay something out: · They spent over an hour laying the food out for the party.lay out something: · I laid all four bathing suits out on the counter and tried to picture myself in one of them. to stop having a particular type of food or drink► cut out to stop eating a particular type of food, especially for health reasons: · With this diet, I have to cut out bread, cookies, and cakes.· Try cutting out red meat and dairy produce, and see if your symptoms improve. ► lay off spoken to stop eating, drinking, or using a particular type of food, drink, or drug, especially for health reasons: · I'm trying to lay off rich food for a while to lose some weight.· If he really wants to write the book, he'll need to lay off the drink until he does it. to give orders in a rude, unpleasant way► order somebody around also order somebody about British if someone orders you around or orders you about , they keep telling you what to do in an annoying or unfair way, and they seem to enjoy it: · You won't get the best out of your staff by ordering them around like that.· I wish you'd stop ordering me about -- I'm not your servant you know. ► push somebody around to order someone to do things in a rude, impatient, and often threatening way: · I'm sick and tired of being pushed around by him.· You shouldn't let other people push you around -- you've got to stand up for yourself. ► boss somebody around also boss somebody about British to keep giving someone orders in an annoying way, even though you have no authority to do so: · My brother's always bossing me around and making me clean up after him.· She's a strong-minded woman -- she doesn't let anyone boss her around. ► lay down the law to tell people what they should do in an annoying way because you enjoy giving orders and think that you are always right: · If Bob starts laying down the law, just tell him to shut up. ► throw your weight around to use your position of authority to tell other people what to do, in an unreasonable way: · She likes to throw her weight around -- it makes her feel important.· Why is everyone so upset? Has George been throwing his weight around again? Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► place/put/lay a bet on something · She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven. ► a bird lays its eggs · The bird lays a single egg on the ground. ► lay/run a cable (=put one in position somewhere)· In the 1860s the first cables were laid under the oceans. ► fit/lay a carpet (=cut it to fit a room and fix it to the floor)· Will it cost extra to have the carpet fitted? ► draw up/lay down a code (=create one)· The syndicate decided to draw up a code of conduct for its members. ► lay down/set/impose conditions (=say what someone must agree to)· They laid down certain conditions before agreeing to the ceasefire. ► lay ... eggs  Blackbirds lay their eggs in March. ► place/lay emphasis on something formal· The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team. ► lay off employees (=stop employing them because there is no work for them to do)· Unions fear that many part-time employees will be laid off. ► lay/place something end to end (=in a line, with the ends touching)· The roof tiles are laid end to end. ► lay on/put on entertainment (=organize and provide it)· The organizers laid on some entertainment for the children. ► lay flat  He lay flat on the floor. ► lay flat on ... back  That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. ► lay ... foundations  It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations. ► prepare/lay the ground (=to provide the situation or conditions in which something can develop successfully) ► lay down/establish ground rules for something  Our book lays down the ground rules for building a patio successfully. ► laid ... groundwork  His speech laid the groundwork for independence. ► laid-back attitude/manner/approach etc  He is famed for his laid-back attitude. ► give your life/lay down your life (=die in order to save other people, or because of a strong belief)· These men gave their lives during the war to keep us free. ► lay mines  They learnt how to lay mines (=put them in place). ► lay a pipe · They were digging a trench to lay water pipes. ► lay down a principle (=describe a principle and make it accepted)· The report lays down general principles for the teaching of English. ► set/lay down a standard · The government sets standards that all hospitals must reach. ► laid down by statute  Protection for the consumer is laid down by statute (=established by law). ► set/lay the table (=put knives, forks etc on a table before a meal)· The table was set for fourteen. ► lay/set a trap (for somebody)  Police had set a trap for hooligans at the match. ► laid ... wreath  The prime minister laid a wreath at the war memorial. COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► ahead · These early months gave him a brutally clear idea of what lay ahead.· Although generally optimistic, Dan knew that more challenges lay ahead.· Dark pines and yellow birches lay ahead, as the shoreline curved to meet me.· And almost alone among the early Hmong arrivals, he could see that storm signals lay ahead.· But that life was over now and a new one lay ahead.· But no one was better equipped for the psychological warfare that lay ahead.· Then the nakedness was covered: he had seen what lay ahead.· The turning point into a new year was a thoughtful time, when one weighed the past against what lay ahead. ► aside · On the day of the wedding, just for a short while, all strife was laid aside.· By then, he supposed, he would have enough laid aside to begin his own business.· They must also lay aside their personal feelings.· He could afford to lay aside his anger against the Trojans.· There were of course occasions when Franz's great sword was laid aside, other instruments being required for the administration of justice.· A few weeks later I laid aside my steak knife for good.· Big sentences about Britain's place in the world have been laid aside.· I clambered on to the wheelbarrow, to pray for a healing miracle, laying aside my glasses and hat. ► down · Strips of old carpet had been laid down in rows, like pews.· When we halted... the rebels halted and lay down on the ground.· Collective bargaining is a flexible instrument and can build upon the minimum standards which the law lays down.· She raised her head off the bed, lay down on her side and curled up.· She laid down her Cosmopolitan magazine, open at fashions, loose flowing shirts in jewel colours.· I went into my parents' room and lay down on the bed.· It is the sort of knowledge that may be laid down in rules and can be learned from books.· There is no requirement that harm be sustained before the law may intervene to lay down moral standards. ► off · It is also laying off 230 of its 750 Coventry staff.· Out of the last 15, three have been laid off because of more senior teachers taking their place.· Certainly, an emergency on the first flight after a long lay off provides the potential for an incident.· But there was a budget cut after a year, and I was laid off.· The prescription is expected: lay off the climbing and get stuck into physiotherapy.· The disenchantment affects all workers, even before they are ever laid off.· Drunks would be laid off immediately, and could only return when sober.· Dan Reynolds, a self-confident engineer with twenty years' experience with large companies, was laid off in 1992. ► out · Uncle Philip was laid out on a charcoal grill like a barbecued pork chop.· Now he was laying out a polo field next to the house.· The table of transition probabilities for the travel example would be laid out as shown in Table 6.2.· Even the plastic gloves next to the tray were laid out carefully, as if the fingers were still in them.· I lay out the old chipped Spode cups and saucers.· The logic was good, the ingredients were laid out correctly - from them he should be able to recognise the receipt.· To get it laid out in the most effective way. NOUN► blame · Whatever its cause, that decline makes it harder to lay blame for any recent severe weather on El Chichón.· These stories choose to measure the price of things rather than to lay blame.· Margolin lays the blame above all on Mao's ideological fanaticism.· And when the results come back, Piccirillo avoids laying blame.· It's difficult to know exactly where to lay the blame.· The inquest laid no blame, and no one has ever been charged in connection with the case.· It could have been switched around by anyone, hoping to lay the blame elsewhere. ► carpet · It had been shattered along with the glass tank, the debris of which lay scattered on the carpet.· During the week I found work in town painting houses, laying carpets and delivering telephone books.· Under a wooden veranda lay a spread of carpets and divans.· We want to lay a plain carpet in our lounge, but we're not sure which way the pile should go.· It was April, and a lozenge of sunlight lay across his carpet.· The small grey and red-edged squares of the pamphlet and Time lay on the pale carpet of needles.· We'd laid down on the carpet and the minute I'd put it in her I'd come.· Along the narrow landing at Mrs Parvis's were laid pieces of carpet to cover the cracks in the lino. ► claim · No particular religion can ever embody the perfection of Religion or lay claim to a monopoly of Truth.· You know, Earl, I never laid no claim for Beatrice.· Mill's most famous innovation lay in his claim that quality of pleasure counts as well as quantity.· Shoveling is considered so nasty that the tortured feel they must reward themselves by laying permanent claim to their handiwork.· Do you mean that only Nobel laureates and their peers can lay claim to the hallowed occupation of research?· Ray McGovern and the other protestors at the 9: 15 liturgy were laying claim to this legacy of principled dissent. ► egg · Look for a butterfly laying its eggs.· They lay their eggs in midwinter, incubating their eggs and chicks through many blizzards.· Within an hour or so of reaching the pond and becoming clasped in amplexus, females start to lay their eggs.· A female toad may lay 20,000 eggs each season; perhaps a quarter of a million in her lifetime.· On his way out, Jack stole the goose that laid the golden eggs.· There is one other bizarre adaptation used by the female cuckoo in laying her eggs.· An ugly duckling, like a printing press, was transformed into a well-behaved goose laying golden eggs. ► emphasis · The Labour government laid its emphasis upon local authority housing rather than on private building for sale.· They laid little emphasis on the message of the prophets.· They laid great emphasis on the value of a high level of participation by members of the lesbian and gay communities.· Also, different kinds of organizations lay the emphasis on different views.· Dobry laid great emphasis on consultations and meetings between applicants and the local planning authority, particularly in relation to Class B applications.· Lord Watson laid the same emphasis in his speech, at p. 212.· This view was so widely attractive that Themistokles himself was constrained to lay more emphasis on a nearer enemy, Aigina. ► floor · This time the front door was open and a swathe of sunlight lay across the red-tiled floor.· A fat young man lay spread-eagled on the floor.· I hobbled upstairs and lay on the floor to get my shorts off.· Her skirt and top lay puddled on the floor where she had taken them off.· She walked into the room, glancing only briefly at the shot CI5 man, who lay unconscious on the floor.· I lay on the floor in the pale gauze of winter twilight, recalling all the Great Women of the Telephone.· His binoculars lay abandoned on the floor.· To examine the work, viewers must decide whether to tread on a flag laid neatly on the floor before it. ► foundation · But in Britain we have laid the foundations for recovery.· Mr Knospe laid the foundation stone and drank his share of champagne at a party in his honor.· The drama school training will only lay the foundations and prepare you for the profession you are joining.· And in order to clarify his position he once more dives back into laying philosophical foundations.· He laid some of the foundations of the Newtonian mechanics that was to replace Aristotle's.· We are laying the foundations for further progress.· In fact, I laid the foundation stone on his behalf on 29 March 1996. ► groundwork · What he is doing is laying the groundwork for the decisive moment and preparing his getaway.· Commission officials, however, appeared to be laying the political groundwork to exclude Perot from upcoming debates.· The project is intended to lay the groundwork for a subsequent full-scale study.· They decided among themselves they needed to lay the groundwork.· Fox is clearly laying the groundwork for peace talks to restart.· It is a transitory work which lays the groundwork for themes and styles found in the theater sixty years later.· Then the elite persuaded the newly elected mayor to appoint a committee to lay the groundwork for redevelopment.· Their task, simply put, was to lay the scientific groundwork for the manned landing missions that were then being planned. ► plan · We therefore laid our plans and moved out in good order over a long period of time.· We immediately began laying plans for subsequent operations to achieve what we had been unable to accomplish at Pearl Harbor.· The two countries were laying plans for a jointly operated early-warning centre that might help this.· We consult an architect, laying our current floor plan before her and describing our needs.· Taking care to avoid certain members of his household ... So the rational mind lays its rational plans.· Undaunted, Galvin laid out a ten-year plan to make Motorola the leader in the industry.· Meanwhile, the moment there was a hint of spring in the air, she began to lay her plans.· We then laid plans for the next voyage. ► stress · New legislation lays particular stress on appropriate assessment.· Here we might look at the question why Gandhi should lay so much stress on the interrelation of Truth and ahi.· In addition to the need for humility, discipline and singleminded devotion in the quest for Truth Gandhi lays stress on prayer.· The Government are laying great stress on the possibility of a consumer-led recovery.· She said that her interview had laid stress on personal circumstances rather than experience and qualifications.· He lays particular stress on two consequences of this analysis, both of which are presented as advantages of Marx's theory.· In the matter of ultimate aesthetic evaluation it laid stress on the intuitive response of the general public.· Historically, she has laid much greater stress than her continental neighbours on sophisticated external examinations at the end of compulsory schooling. ► table · Facing the audience he lay back on the table, screaming and moaning, as if he were going into labor.· All these notions are laid on the table and dissected one-by-one with razor sharp perception and humor.· Then I hear Gary returning and I go down to lay the table.· The gun lay on the table.· She moved up the stairs past the few skins that lay on a table and made her way into the office.· My gun lay on a small table.· In the kitchen Anne and Millie are laying the table for dinner, talking seriously. ► wreath · He had gone there to lay a wreath on every visit since.· Clinton laid a wreath of red and white roses before a majestic memorial at Piskaryevskoye Cemetery.· He was speaking after laying a wreath on the spot where the protestors died.· David C.. Bolles, eldest son of Don Bolles, helped her lay a wreath at the foot of the monument.· Charles, who laid wreaths in Hong Kong yesterday, played polo on her birthday in July.· Take Chancellor Adenauer, in 1970, at the site of the former Warsaw ghetto, laying a wreath.· This year, and for years to come, they will walk hand-in-hand to lay a wreath at Suzanne's grave. Phrases PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► lay something bare The depth of the problem is laid bare in the fact that 40% of 18- to 25- year-olds are unemployed. The excavation laid bare the streets of the ancient city. ► put/lay your cards on the table If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good. If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table. They're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate. Come on, you can lay your cards on the table in this house. The new rules appear to encourage parties to lay their cards on the table and facilitate early settlements. ► lay an egg The first episode of the series laid an egg. A few species laid eggs beneath mounds of rotten vegetation that warmed as it decayed. Adults grow to varying sizes, depending on food available, and lay eggs in late summer. Female brush turkeys visit the males' mounds, lay eggs in them, and depart. Gravid female fig wasps enter figs, lay eggs and die. In turn the later reptiles could diversify on land when they could lay eggs away from a watery environment. The wasp lays eggs inside the eggs laid by the whitefly, thereby destroying the whitefly eggs. These mate, fly away and the females find new plants to lay eggs on. Within it, they copulate and lay eggs. ► set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something Bedford disliked Halsey the minute he set eyes on him. How could she possibly know, since he had not set eyes on the girl? I bonded on the second night I laid eyes on Hyakutake. Just hours earlier she had set eyes on the pretty two-year-old and sister Anna-Camilla, seven, for the first time. Never anywhere have I set eyes on such a one. No sooner did she set eyes on the gentleman than she recognised his pecuniary position to be merely temporary. The couple fell in love before they had even set eyes on each other during a six-month long distance courtship. ► not lay a finger on somebody► lay/provide the foundation(s) for something Tests on healthy people may lay the foundation for a vaccine to prevent AIDS. I think you have to lay the foundation for your success in terms of defense and rebounding. It laid the foundation for an organisation with greater appeal to the deaf themselves, particularly the young. These arguments provide the foundation for Simmel's account of the contradictory nature of modern life. This theory also laid the foundation for the modern revolution in our understanding of the deepest parts of the earth. To generate fundamental knowledge that can lay the foundation for future advances in high-performance computing and communications. We could say that she is laying the foundations for dressing herself later on. What is stressed rather is that the same phenomenon provides the foundation for both historical tendencies. While incomplete, the steps that were taken laid the foundation for Workplace 2000. ► lay a guilt trip on somebody► lay your hands on something Government reports, social legislation, anything she could lay her hands on that would better acquaint her with her work. He will sell anything he can lay his hands on in exchange for drugs, which includes any information he may have. I know exactly where to lay my hands on them. I like writing letters and reading anything I can lay my hands on! Kabari women use whatever birth control technology they can lay their hands on. Looters carried clothes out of shop windows along with anything else they could lay their hands on. Monday I felt driven to eat everything I could lay my hands on. Some one had to overturn the present political arrangements in the Limousin if he was ever to lay his hands on Hautefort. ► kill the goose that lays the golden egg High taxes kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. ► put/lay/set down a marker► new-made/new-formed/new-laid etc► lay/put something to rest Many of the public's doubts have now been laid to rest. A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn. I think this definitely puts it to rest. Kwasniewski has said he may dissolve parliament to put the issue to rest and call for new elections. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. The time has come to put this to rest. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay somebody to rest At nightfall she was tired and lay down to rest. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. We can't even lay him to rest. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay siege to somebody/something After his victory Edward rallied his troops and marched north to lay siege to Calais. Almost ten years had passed since they had first laid siege to the town, and it seemed as strong as ever. He laid siege to the fortress and gradually weakened it to the point of collapse. In 476 they laid siege to Eion, which guarded the Strymon bridge. In June 1176 Richard laid siege to Limoges; after a few days resistance Aimar's citadel capitulated. In less than two generations, since the Second World War, they have laid siege to the academic world. She had laid siege to the typists' room for some minutes before Marshall had persuaded her downstairs. ► lay it on with a trowel the past tense of lie1 lay1 verblay2 verblay3 adjectivelay4 noun laylay2 ●●● S1 W2 verb (past tense and past participle laid /leɪd/) Entry menu MENU FOR laylay1 put somebody/something down2 lay bricks/carpet/concrete/cables etc3 bird/insect etc4 table5 lay the foundations/groundwork/base6 give information7 lay emphasis/stress on something8 lay a hand/finger on somebody9 lay something bare/open10 lay somebody/something open to something11 lay waste something12 lay plans/a trap etc13 lay claim to (doing) something14 lay siege to somebody/something15 have sex16 lie17 risk money18 lay somebody/something on the line19 lay something at the door of somebody/something20 lay somebody low21 lay somebody to rest22 lay the ghost (of something)Phrasal verbslay about somebodylay something asidelay something downlay something inlay into somebody/somethinglay offlay something onlay somebody/something outlay overlay up Verb Table VERB TABLE lay Simple Form Present I, you, we, they lay he, she, it lays Past I, you, he, she, it, we, they laid Present perfect I, you, we, they have laid he, she, it has laid Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had laid Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will lay Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have laid Continuous Form Present I am laying he, she, it is laying you, we, they are laying Past I, he, she, it was laying you, we, they were laying Present perfect I, you, we, they have been laying he, she, it has been laying Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had been laying Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will be laying Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have been laying Examples EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS He laid the money on the table as they walked out to the stoop. He lay down against a wall. He was laid down on brittle pampas grass and then manhandled by the creatures. Hey, I told him to lay off of me in practice. It does little more than lay a foundation of principles. It was as if a fall lay within her that she wasn't able to make. She lay against the pillows, her whole body numb. Thesaurus THESAURUS► put to move something to a particular place: · I’ve put the wine in the fridge.· Where have you put my grey shirt? ► place to put something somewhere carefully: · ‘It’s beautiful,’ he said, placing it back on the shelf. ► lay to put someone or something down carefully on a flat surface: · He laid all the money on the table.· She laid the baby on his bed. ► position to carefully put something in a suitable position: · Position the microphone to suit your height.· Troops were positioned around the city. ► slip to put something somewhere with a quick movement: · He slipped his arm around her waist.· Carrie quickly slipped the money into her bag. ► shove to put something into a space or container quickly or carelessly: · Shove anything you don’t want in that sack.· I’ve ironed those shirts so don’t just shove them in a drawer. ► stick (also bung British English) informal to put something somewhere quickly or carelessly: · I stuck the address in my pocket and I can’t find it now.· Could you bung those clothes in the washing machine? ► dump to put something down somewhere in a careless and untidy way: · Don’t just dump all your bags in the kitchen.· People shouldn’t dump rubbish at the side of the street. ► pop informal to quickly put something somewhere, usually for a short time: · Pop it in the microwave for a minute. ► thrust literary to put something somewhere suddenly or forcefully: · ‘Hide it,’ he said, thrusting the watch into her hand. ► install to put a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used: · The company is installing a new computer system.· How much does it cost to install central heating? ► put in to install something. Put in is more common in everyday English than install and is used especially about things that are not very complicated to install: · The workmen are coming to put the new windows in today.· They removed the bath and put in a shower instead. ► fit to put a new part or piece of equipment into or onto something: · I had to fit new locks after the burglary.· All vehicles must have seat belts fitted. ► lay to put cables or a carpet in the correct place on the ground: · Work on laying the telephone cables has not yet begun.· Two workmen were laying carpet tiles in the kitchen. WORD SETS► Birds auk, nounbald eagle, nounbeak, nounbill, nounbird, nounbirdie, nounbird of paradise, nounbird of passage, nounbird of prey, nounbirdsong, nounblackbird, nounbluebird, nounbluejay, nounbobwhite, nounbreast, nounbuzzard, nouncackle, verbchick, nounclaw, nouncob, nouncock, nouncockerel, nouncockscomb, nouncolouring, nouncondor, nouncoo, verbcoot, nouncormorant, nouncorncrake, nouncrane, nouncrest, nouncrested, adjectivecrop, nouncrow, nouncrow, verbcuckoo, nouncurlew, nouncygnet, noundickybird, noundipper, noundive, verbdodo, noundove, noundown, nounduck, nounduckling, nouneagle, nouneaglet, nounegret, nounemu, nounfeather, nounflamingo, nounfledgling, nounflight, nounfly, verbflycatcher, nounfowl, noungander, noungannet, noungizzard, noungobble, verbgobbler, noungolden eagle, noungoldfinch, noungoose, noungrebe, noungrouse, nounguillemot, nounguinea fowl, nounhackles, nounhatch, verbhawk, nounheron, nounhonk, nounhonk, verbhoot, nounhoot, verbhornbill, nounhouse martin, nounhumming bird, nounincubate, verbjackdaw, nounjay, nounkestrel, nounkingfisher, nounkite, nounkiwi, nounlark, nounlay, verblinnet, nounloon, nounlovebird, nounmacaw, nounmagpie, nounmallard, nounmarabou, nounmartin, nounmeadowlark, nounmigrant, nounmockingbird, nounmoorhen, nounmoult, verbmynah bird, nounnest, nounnest, verbnestling, nounnightingale, nounoriole, nounornithologist, nounornithology, nounosprey, nounostrich, nounowl, nounowlet, nounparakeet, nounparrot, nounpartridge, nounpeacock, nounpeafowl, nounpeahen, nounpeck, verbpeck, nounpeewit, nounpelican, nounpenguin, nounperch, nounperch, verbperegrine falcon, nounpetrel, nounpipit, nounplover, nounplumage, nounplume, verbpullet, nounquail, nounquill, nounraven, nounroadrunner, nounrobin, nounrook, nounroost, nounroost, verbrooster, nounruff, nounsandpiper, nounseabird, nounseagull, nounshag, nounsing, verbskylark, nounsnipe, nounsong, nounsongbird, nounsongster, nounsparrow, nounstarling, nounswallow, nounswan, nounswift, nounswoop, verbtalon, nounteal, nountern, nounthrush, nountit, nountoucan, nountrill, nounturkey, nounturtledove, nountwitter, verbvulture, nounwader, nounwagtail, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwater bird, nounwaterfowl, nounwebbed, adjectiveweb-footed, adjectivewhistle, verbwing, nounwinged, adjectivewingspan, nounwingtip, nounwishbone, nounwren, nounyellowhammer, noun Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► Lay ... flat  Lay the material flat on the table. ► lay ... eggs  The flies lay their eggs on decaying meat. ► laying the table  John was laying the table. ► laid the foundations of  It was an invention which laid the foundations of modern radio technology. ► laid ... open to charges of  Not to have taken action would have laid the department open to charges of negligence. ► the best-laid plans (=plans that have been made carefully) Bad weather can upset even the best-laid travel plans. ► get laid  All he wants to do is go out and get laid. ► lay money (that)  I’d lay money that he will go on to play for England. ► Lay it on the line  Lay it on the line and tell them what’s really been happening. ► lay down ... arms  The terrorists were urged to lay down their arms. ► laying down tracks  They are just about to start laying down tracks for their second album. COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► place/put/lay a bet on something · She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven. ► a bird lays its eggs · The bird lays a single egg on the ground. ► lay/run a cable (=put one in position somewhere)· In the 1860s the first cables were laid under the oceans. ► fit/lay a carpet (=cut it to fit a room and fix it to the floor)· Will it cost extra to have the carpet fitted? ► draw up/lay down a code (=create one)· The syndicate decided to draw up a code of conduct for its members. ► lay down/set/impose conditions (=say what someone must agree to)· They laid down certain conditions before agreeing to the ceasefire. ► lay ... eggs  Blackbirds lay their eggs in March. ► place/lay emphasis on something formal· The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team. ► lay off employees (=stop employing them because there is no work for them to do)· Unions fear that many part-time employees will be laid off. ► lay/place something end to end (=in a line, with the ends touching)· The roof tiles are laid end to end. ► lay on/put on entertainment (=organize and provide it)· The organizers laid on some entertainment for the children. ► lay flat  He lay flat on the floor. ► lay flat on ... back  That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. ► lay ... foundations  It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations. ► prepare/lay the ground (=to provide the situation or conditions in which something can develop successfully) ► lay down/establish ground rules for something  Our book lays down the ground rules for building a patio successfully. ► laid ... groundwork  His speech laid the groundwork for independence. ► laid-back attitude/manner/approach etc  He is famed for his laid-back attitude. ► give your life/lay down your life (=die in order to save other people, or because of a strong belief)· These men gave their lives during the war to keep us free. ► lay mines  They learnt how to lay mines (=put them in place). ► lay a pipe · They were digging a trench to lay water pipes. ► lay down a principle (=describe a principle and make it accepted)· The report lays down general principles for the teaching of English. ► set/lay down a standard · The government sets standards that all hospitals must reach. ► laid down by statute  Protection for the consumer is laid down by statute (=established by law). ► set/lay the table (=put knives, forks etc on a table before a meal)· The table was set for fourteen. ► lay/set a trap (for somebody)  Police had set a trap for hooligans at the match. ► laid ... wreath  The prime minister laid a wreath at the war memorial. COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► ahead · These early months gave him a brutally clear idea of what lay ahead.· Although generally optimistic, Dan knew that more challenges lay ahead.· Dark pines and yellow birches lay ahead, as the shoreline curved to meet me.· And almost alone among the early Hmong arrivals, he could see that storm signals lay ahead.· Already she was terrified of what lay ahead.· It had been a good spring for the President, but trouble lay ahead.· But that life was over now and a new one lay ahead.· But no one was better equipped for the psychological warfare that lay ahead. NOUN► floor · For half an hour she lay on the floor in pain before they finally left with a hoard of silverware.· We consult an architect, laying our current floor plan before her and describing our needs.· Changez lay writhing on the floor, unable to get up.· A fat young man lay spread-eagled on the floor.· A heavy iron bar lay on the floor beside my left hand.· I followed him to a room in which bundles of magazines lay strewn on the floor.· Breakfast was laid on the floor at the near end of the room.· Dashed hopes lay all over the floor. ► wreath · He had gone there to lay a wreath on every visit since.· Clinton laid a wreath of red and white roses before a majestic memorial at Piskaryevskoye Cemetery.· He was speaking after laying a wreath on the spot where the protestors died.· David C.. Bolles, eldest son of Don Bolles, helped her lay a wreath at the foot of the monument.· Charles, who laid wreaths in Hong Kong yesterday, played polo on her birthday in July.· Take Chancellor Adenauer, in 1970, at the site of the former Warsaw ghetto, laying a wreath.· This year, and for years to come, they will walk hand-in-hand to lay a wreath at Suzanne's grave. Phrases PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► lay emphasis/stress on something In addition to the need for humility, discipline and singleminded devotion in the quest for Truth Gandhi lays stress on prayer. In the matter of ultimate aesthetic evaluation it laid stress on the intuitive response of the general public. She said that her interview had laid stress on personal circumstances rather than experience and qualifications. ► lay a hand/finger on somebody He wouldn't dare lay a finger on any of us. I laid a hand on his hair. I lay a hand on his chest and felt him breathe, mile after mile through the Kentucky night. If she laid a hand on him, what could he do besides run for it? Some one laid a hand on me. Stuyvesant responded by laying hands on To bias Feake, who delivered the document, arresting and eventually banishing him. The odds are that the young man would not have laid a finger on her, but what if ...? ► lay something bare/open Krushchev laid bare Stalin's crimes. New bricks were removed, laying bare the old foundations. ► lay somebody/something open to something And he has laid himself wide open to the kind of criticism that will cloak him in a dark shroud of misery. If he had said he was acting under his own authority, he would have laid himself open to ridicule. Is it something you should do, or do you lay yourself open to terrible legal proceedings? It is not difficult to see how this approach lays itself open to abuse and drastic criticism. It is not only those who dismiss the arts as self-indulgent who lay themselves open to such a charge. Not to have taken action, she said, would have laid her department open to a charge of negligence. The Evangelicals have become a powerful influence in the land and this lays them open to the wooing of politicians. This would amount to a breach of their contract of employment and lay them open to disciplinary proceedings. ► lay waste something► lay plans/a trap etc And the speaker may be totally unaware of laying a trap. Clare wouldn't put it past Sam to use a rat to lay a trap for her. ► lay claim to (doing) something Dole himself did not expect to lay claim to the title of presumptive nominee until after the March 26 primary in California. I'd guess it also can lay claim to the oldest leader of a still-functioning organisation today. Initially these had been one hundred and seventy-five men and twenty-five horses laying claim to an empire of fourteen million. They seem to lay claim to being purely of the mind's eye, a manifestation of pure objectivity. This latter idea could lay claim to a basis in ideas of collegiality - but only of a limited nature. With his victory in Florida officially certified, Bush announced new moves to lay claim to the White House. ► lay siege to somebody/something After his victory Edward rallied his troops and marched north to lay siege to Calais. Almost ten years had passed since they had first laid siege to the town, and it seemed as strong as ever. He laid siege to the fortress and gradually weakened it to the point of collapse. In 476 they laid siege to Eion, which guarded the Strymon bridge. In June 1176 Richard laid siege to Limoges; after a few days resistance Aimar's citadel capitulated. In less than two generations, since the Second World War, they have laid siege to the academic world. She had laid siege to the typists' room for some minutes before Marshall had persuaded her downstairs. ► get laid Some guys are just looking to get laid. A: Yes, San Francisco was the place you came to get laid. And, of course, the sexiest man iii the world is never gon na get laid. Guys who want to get laid. I can get laid any day of the week right here at home. I had eight hours to get laid. If you can't get loved, get laid. Marxism can be a way to get rich or get laid. They came to read Dante, drink wine, sit in the sun and get laid. ► lay bricks/carpet/concrete/cables etc Compact the base, then lay concrete, using a 1 cement to 5 parts ballast mix. During the week I found work in town painting houses, laying carpets and delivering telephone books. Trying to raise efficiency and morale without first setting this structure to rights is like trying to lay bricks without mortar. Why didn't he lay concrete you ask? ► lay somebody/something on the line And Moonshake lay theirs on the line. right now; today, not yesterday. I laid it on the line. I couldn't blame her; she'd laid things on the line from the start, as I had. You give somebody else a chance, and guys lay it on the line for you. ► lay something at the door of somebody/something► lay somebody low The infection laid her low for a month. ► lay somebody to rest She was laid to rest next to her husband, who died in 1993. At nightfall she was tired and lay down to rest. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. We can't even lay him to rest. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay the ghost (of something) Max So-you've laid the ghost. ► lay down the law If Bob starts laying down the law, just tell him to shut up. Parents need to lay down the law regarding how much TV their children watch. By eleven o'clock I was standing in front of Patterson's desk laying down the law. It is unfortunate that Mrs Gardner's thoroughness did not extend to laying down the law about insurance. MacFarland said I would do well in his class and laid down the law about doing well in the others. Ron, too, was laying down the law. She would lay down the laws. Steadily I disappointed Paquita, who believed it was my job to lay down the law with Clarisa. They made a move for the piano, but we laid down the law and soon redirected their energy to sightseeing. Well, there was nothing for it, I had to lay down the law in no uncertain terms. ► lay down your life He considered it a privilege to lay down his life for his country. He remembered the words of Izz Huett: She would have laid down her life for you. I would lay down my life for it. They had true grievances to settle and were ready to lay down their lives for vengeance. ► lay somebody ↔ off► lay off (something) An estimated 3 million workers have been laid off be-tween 1989 and 1995 as corporate profits have soared. He and Dean had just been laid off during a seniority lapse because of a drastic reduction of crews. He must lay off the kif. The sort of business which flourished in the eighties but suffered in the recession hit nineties, laying off workers. The station has laid off one-third of its staff. Three years later, it reported its worst quarterly loss ever and laid off 16 percent of its work force. We must lay off the booze even during Holy Communion. We sought out people who had been laid off from large corporations and were forced to create new lives. ► lay off (somebody) An estimated 3 million workers have been laid off be-tween 1989 and 1995 as corporate profits have soared. He and Dean had just been laid off during a seniority lapse because of a drastic reduction of crews. He must lay off the kif. The sort of business which flourished in the eighties but suffered in the recession hit nineties, laying off workers. The station has laid off one-third of its staff. Three years later, it reported its worst quarterly loss ever and laid off 16 percent of its work force. We must lay off the booze even during Holy Communion. We sought out people who had been laid off from large corporations and were forced to create new lives. ► lay something ↔ off► lay something ↔ on► lay the foundations/groundwork/base Because Save the Children want to lay the foundations for a better future. He laid the foundations by cutting one percent off interest rates, scrapping special car tax, and boosting the housing industry. He said he hoped they had laid the foundations for peace - but admitted obstacles could lie ahead. One of my officials chairs the experts committee that laid the groundwork for this achievement. Progress in primary schools has laid the foundations for the drive to raise standards in secondary schools, announced last month. The defense Monday seemed to lay the groundwork for an argument about damages. Then the elite persuaded the newly elected mayor to appoint a committee to lay the groundwork for redevelopment. Will took advantage of this opportunity to lay the groundwork for his epitaph. ► lay something on somebody► lay it on (thick) He laid it on top of one of the garbage cans lined up in front of his building. I laid it on soil; the shoulders managed a few slow twitches, pulled it an inch forward. I laid it on the line. I took a card out and laid it on the counter. She laid it on the floor of the car. She took her coat off and laid it on the bed. Tenderly she laid it on the bed. That way, unless I've really laid it on thick, I can get along at a cracking pace. ► be laid up (with something) All was safely gathered in and Mr and Mrs Squirrel Nutkin's hoard was laid up for winter's sustenance. How much land must you commit to arable rotation, and how much must be laid up for hay or silage? I don't know how long I shall be laid up with this wretched ankle. In those days all the cutters were laid up on the trot piles in the river Hamble during the winter months. It was, and Venturous was laid up at Buckie for nearly ten months while new Cummins engines were fitted. Large numbers of nuclear-powered submarines are laid up at a harbour near Murmansk. She had never got used to the hours since John had been made redundant when all the ships were laid up. The barges, designed to be sailed by one man and a boy, could be laid up in a few days. ► lay something ↔ upPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► lay something bare The depth of the problem is laid bare in the fact that 40% of 18- to 25- year-olds are unemployed. The excavation laid bare the streets of the ancient city. ► put/lay your cards on the table If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good. If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table. They're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate. Come on, you can lay your cards on the table in this house. The new rules appear to encourage parties to lay their cards on the table and facilitate early settlements. ► lay an egg The first episode of the series laid an egg. A few species laid eggs beneath mounds of rotten vegetation that warmed as it decayed. Adults grow to varying sizes, depending on food available, and lay eggs in late summer. Female brush turkeys visit the males' mounds, lay eggs in them, and depart. Gravid female fig wasps enter figs, lay eggs and die. In turn the later reptiles could diversify on land when they could lay eggs away from a watery environment. The wasp lays eggs inside the eggs laid by the whitefly, thereby destroying the whitefly eggs. These mate, fly away and the females find new plants to lay eggs on. Within it, they copulate and lay eggs. ► set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something Bedford disliked Halsey the minute he set eyes on him. How could she possibly know, since he had not set eyes on the girl? I bonded on the second night I laid eyes on Hyakutake. Just hours earlier she had set eyes on the pretty two-year-old and sister Anna-Camilla, seven, for the first time. Never anywhere have I set eyes on such a one. No sooner did she set eyes on the gentleman than she recognised his pecuniary position to be merely temporary. The couple fell in love before they had even set eyes on each other during a six-month long distance courtship. ► not lay a finger on somebody► lay/provide the foundation(s) for something Tests on healthy people may lay the foundation for a vaccine to prevent AIDS. I think you have to lay the foundation for your success in terms of defense and rebounding. It laid the foundation for an organisation with greater appeal to the deaf themselves, particularly the young. These arguments provide the foundation for Simmel's account of the contradictory nature of modern life. This theory also laid the foundation for the modern revolution in our understanding of the deepest parts of the earth. To generate fundamental knowledge that can lay the foundation for future advances in high-performance computing and communications. We could say that she is laying the foundations for dressing herself later on. What is stressed rather is that the same phenomenon provides the foundation for both historical tendencies. While incomplete, the steps that were taken laid the foundation for Workplace 2000. ► lay a guilt trip on somebody► lay your hands on something Government reports, social legislation, anything she could lay her hands on that would better acquaint her with her work. He will sell anything he can lay his hands on in exchange for drugs, which includes any information he may have. I know exactly where to lay my hands on them. I like writing letters and reading anything I can lay my hands on! Kabari women use whatever birth control technology they can lay their hands on. Looters carried clothes out of shop windows along with anything else they could lay their hands on. Monday I felt driven to eat everything I could lay my hands on. Some one had to overturn the present political arrangements in the Limousin if he was ever to lay his hands on Hautefort. ► kill the goose that lays the golden egg High taxes kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. ► put/lay/set down a marker► new-made/new-formed/new-laid etc► lay/put something to rest Many of the public's doubts have now been laid to rest. A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn. I think this definitely puts it to rest. Kwasniewski has said he may dissolve parliament to put the issue to rest and call for new elections. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. The time has come to put this to rest. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay somebody to rest At nightfall she was tired and lay down to rest. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. We can't even lay him to rest. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay siege to somebody/something After his victory Edward rallied his troops and marched north to lay siege to Calais. Almost ten years had passed since they had first laid siege to the town, and it seemed as strong as ever. He laid siege to the fortress and gradually weakened it to the point of collapse. In 476 they laid siege to Eion, which guarded the Strymon bridge. In June 1176 Richard laid siege to Limoges; after a few days resistance Aimar's citadel capitulated. In less than two generations, since the Second World War, they have laid siege to the academic world. She had laid siege to the typists' room for some minutes before Marshall had persuaded her downstairs. ► lay it on with a trowel 1put somebody/something down [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to put someone or something down carefully into a flat position SYN  place:  He laid his hand on my shoulder. They laid a wreath at the place where so many people died. Lay the material flat on the table.► see thesaurus at put2lay bricks/carpet/concrete/cables etc to put or fasten bricks, a carpet etc in the correct place, especially on the ground or floor:  The carpet was laid last week. The project involved laying an oil pipeline across the desert.3bird/insect etc [intransitive, transitive] if a bird, insect etc lays eggs, it produces them from its body:  The flies lay their eggs on decaying meat. A cuckoo is able to lay in a range of different nests.4table [transitive] British English to put the cloth, plates, knives, forks etc on a table, ready for a meal SYN  set:  John was laying the table. As she spoke, she was laying him a place at the table.5lay the foundations/groundwork/base to provide the conditions that will make it possible for something to happen or be successfullay for Mandela helped lay the foundations for a new democratic South Africa. It was an invention which laid the foundations of modern radio technology.6give information [transitive] formal to make a statement, give information etc in an official or public way SYN  put:  Several proposals have been laid before the committee.7lay emphasis/stress on something formal to emphasize something because you believe it is very important:  a political philosophy that lays great stress on individual responsibility8lay a hand/finger on somebody [usually in negatives] to touch someone with the intention of hurting them:  I swear I didn’t lay a finger on him. If you lay one hand on me, I’ll scream.9lay something bare/open a)to show what something is really like, or stop hiding facts, feelings etc:  Every aspect of their private life has been laid bare. b)to remove the thing that is covering or hiding something else:  When the tide goes out, vast stretches of sand are laid bare.10lay somebody/something open to something to do something that makes it possible for other people to blame you, criticize you etclay yourself open to something By doing that, he laid himself open to ridicule. Not to have taken action would have laid the department open to charges of negligence.11 lay waste something (also lay waste to something) formal to destroy or damage something, especially in a war:  The island was laid waste and abandoned. an attack which laid waste to hundreds of villages12lay plans/a trap etc to carefully prepare all the details of something:  We are laying plans now in order to be successful in the future.the best-laid plans (=plans that have been made carefully) Bad weather can upset even the best-laid travel plans.13lay claim to (doing) something to say that something belongs to you or say that you deserve something:  The town can lay claim to having the oldest theatre in Britain. No one has laid claim to the property.14lay siege to somebody/something a)if a group of people lay siege to a place, they try to get control by surrounding it:  The armies laid siege to Vienna in 1529. b)to do everything you can to get someone to talk to you or notice you:  A group of young men were always at the stage door, trying to lay siege to the girls.15have sex get laid informal to have sex with someone:  All he wants to do is go out and get laid.16lie [intransitive] spoken to be in a position in which you are flat – some people consider this use to be incorrect SYN  lie17risk money [transitive] especially British English to risk an amount of money on the result of a race, sports game etc SYN  betlay something on something She laid £50 on the favourite, Golden Boy.lay money (that) I’d lay money that he will go on to play for England.18lay somebody/something on the line a)to state something, especially a threat, demand, or criticism, in a very clear way:  Lay it on the line and tell them what’s really been happening. b) (also put somebody/something on the line) to risk losing your life, your job etc, especially in order to help someone:  I’ve laid myself on the line for him once already.19lay something at the door of somebody/something (also lay something at somebody’s door) to blame something or someone for something:  The continued divisions within the party cannot be laid entirely at his door. Many illnesses are being laid at the door of stress.20lay somebody low a)if an illness lays someone low, they are unable to do their normal activities for a period of timebe laid low with something She’s been laid low with flu for a week.GRAMMAR Lay low is usually passive in this meaning. b)literary to make someone fall down, or injure them seriously21lay somebody to rest formal to bury someone after they have died:  She was laid to rest beside her husband. → lay/put something to rest at rest1(10)22lay the ghost (of something) to finally stop being worried or upset by something from the past → lay your hands on something at hand1(18), → lay the blame on somebody/something at blame2, → put/lay your cards on the table at card1(13)GRAMMAR: Comparisonlay• You lay something somewhere: · She lays a lace cloth over the table. ✗Don’t say: She lies a lace cloth over the table.• You lay someone somewhere: · Lay him down gently.• Lay is also the past tense of lie: · I lay on the bed. ✗Don’t say: I laid on the bed.lie• Someone lies somewhere: · She was lying on her back.· Let’s just lie here for a while. ✗Don’t say: She was laying on her back. | Let’s just lay here for a while.• The past tense of lie is laid: · She laid the baby in its cot. ✗Don’t say: She lay the baby in its cot.lay about somebody phrasal verb literary old-fashioned to attack someone violently SYN  set aboutlay about with He laid about his attackers with a stick.lay something ↔ aside phrasal verb1to stop using something and put it down, especially so you can do something else SYN  put aside:  Richard had laid aside his book to watch what was happening.2to stop behaving in a particular way, or stop having particular feelings, especially so you can achieve something SYN  put aside:  On the day of the wedding, all arguments between the families were laid aside. As a doctor, you often need to lay aside your personal feelings.3 (also lay something ↔ by) to keep something, especially money, so you can use it in the future SYN  put by:  She’d laid aside a few pounds each week from her wages.lay something ↔ down phrasal verb1officially state to officially state something or say that rules, principles etc must be obeyed:  He had already clearly laid down his view in his opening speech.lay down that The contract laid down that the work must be completed before 2025.2weapons if people lay down their weapons, they stop fighting:  The terrorists were urged to lay down their arms.3lay down the law to tell other people what to do, how they should think etc, in a very strong or impolite way:  I could hear him laying down the law.4lay down your life formal to die in order to help other peoplelay down for He was even prepared to lay down his life for his friends.5keep to store something, especially wine, to use in the future6record to record your music, for example in a recording studio:  They are just about to start laying down tracks for their second album.lay something ↔ in phrasal verb especially British English formal to get and store a supply of something to use in the future:  He likes to lay in a few special drinks for the festive season.lay into somebody/something phrasal verb to attack or criticize someone or something:  Outside the club, two men were laying into each other.lay off phrasal verb1lay somebody ↔ off to stop employing someone because there is no work for them to do → lay-off:  The company laid off 250 workers in December. Millions of people have been laid off in the steel industry.2lay off (something) informal to stop using or doing something:  I think you’d better lay off alcohol for a while.lay off doing something I had to lay off running for several months.3lay off (somebody) informal to stop annoying someone or hurting them:  Just lay off, will you! I wish he’d lay off me!4lay something ↔ off to pass the ball to someone in your team in a game such as football – used in sports reportslay something off to somebody Murphy has the ball and then lays it off to Owen.lay something on phrasal verb1lay something ↔ on especially British English to provide something such as food, entertainment, or transport for a group of people:  They laid on a buffet for his farewell party. A bus has been laid on to take you home.2lay something on somebody to ask someone to do something, especially something that is difficult or something they will not want to do:  Sorry to lay this on you, but we need someone to give a talk at the conference next week.3lay it on (thick) informal a)to praise someone or something too much, especially in order to get what you want b)to talk about something in a way that makes it seem more important, serious etc than it really is SYN  exaggeratelay somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb1spread to spread something out:  Lay out the map on the table and let’s have a look.2arrange to arrange or plan a building, town, garden etc SYN  set out:  The garden is laid out in a formal pattern.3explain to describe or explain something clearly SYN  set out:  The financial considerations are laid out in a booklet called ‘How to Borrow Money’.4spend informal to spend money, especially a lot of money → outlaylay out something on something What’s the point in laying out money on something you’ll only wear once?5hit informal to hit someone so hard that they fall down and become unconscious:  One of the guards had been laid out and the other was missing.6body to prepare a dead body so that it can be buriedlay over phrasal verb American English to stay somewhere for a short time before continuing your trip → layoverlay up phrasal verb1be laid up (with something) to have to stay in bed because you are ill or injured:  I was laid up for a week with flu.2to stop using a boat or vehicle, especially while it is being repairedlay something ↔ up Most of the yachts were laid up for the winter.3lay something ↔ up old-fashioned to collect and store something to use in the future:  We started laying up firewood for the winter. lay1 verblay2 verblay3 adjectivelay4 noun laylay3 ●○○ adjective [only before noun] Word Origin WORD ORIGINlay3 Origin: 1300-1400 Old French lai, from Late Latin laicus, from Greek laikos ‘of the people’, from laos ‘people’ Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES a lay minister To the lay observer, these technical terms are incomprehensible. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS A non-conformist lay preacher, he fought the November byelection. At the same time, Louis summoned a series of assemblies involving both bishops and lay nobles. In contrast, many elders - leading lay people - are politically more conservative. On the other hand, there is the lay congregation, to whom biblical scholarship is totally unknown territory. The churches were bereft of most of their clergy and many of their most able lay members. The worship incorporates dreams, healing, trances, and a high degree of lay participation. With his dark good looks and meticulous personal style, he made a lasting, if rather forbidding impression on lay people. word sets WORD SETS► Christianity abbess, nounabbey, nounabbot, nounabsolution, nounAdvent, nounalleluia, interjectionaltar boy, nounAnglican, nounAnglo-Catholic, nounapocalyptic, adjectiveapostle, nounapostolic, adjectivearchbishop, nounarchbishopric, nounarchdeacon, nounarchdiocese, nounArk of the Covenant, nounAsh Wednesday, nounAuthorized Version, banns, nounbaptism, nounBaptist, nounbaptize, verbbasilica, nounbeadle, nounbeatify, verbBenedictine, nounbenediction, nounbenefice, nounbiblical, adjectivebiretta, nounbishop, nounbishopric, nounblaspheme, verbblasphemy, nounbrother, nounbull, nounCalvinism, nounCalvinist, adjectivecanon, nouncanonical, adjectivecanonize, verbcanon law, nouncantor, nouncardinal, nouncardinal sin, nouncarol, nouncatechism, nouncathedral, nounCatholic, adjectivechantry, nounchapel, nounchaplain, nounchaplaincy, nounchapter, nounchapterhouse, nouncherub, nounChrist, nounchristen, verbChristendom, nounchristening, nounChristian, nounChristian, adjectivechurch, nounchurchgoer, nounchurchman, nounChurch of England, nounchurchwarden, nounchurchwoman, nounchurchyard, nounclergyman, nounclergywoman, nouncleric, nounclerical, adjectiveclerk, nouncloister, nouncollect, nouncommandment, nouncommunicant, nouncompline, nounconfess, verbconfession, nounconfessional, nounconfessor, nounconfirmation, nouncongregation, nounCongregationalism, nounconsecrate, verbcope, nouncreationist, nouncreche, nouncrib, nouncrosier, nouncrozier, nouncrucifix, nouncrucifixion, nouncrusade, nouncrusade, verbcrypt, nouncuracy, nouncurate, noundeacon, noundeaconess, noundean, noundeanery, noundiocese, noundisciple, noundisestablish, verbdispensation, noundog collar, nounDominican, nounEaster, nounecclesiastic, nounecclesiastical, adjectiveecumenical, adjectiveEden, nounelder, nounencyclical, nounEpiphany, nounepiscopal, adjectiveEpistle, nounevangelical, adjectiveevangelist, nounevangelize, verbevensong, nounexcommunicate, verbexegesis, nounfellowship, nounflagellant, nounflagellate, verbflock, nounfont, nounFr, friar, nounfrock, nounfundamentalist, noungargoyle, noungenuflect, verbgodfather, nounGod-fearing, adjectivegodless, adjectivegodly, adjectivegodmother, noungodparent, noungodson, nounGood Friday, noungrace, noungracious, adjectiveHail Mary, nounharvest festival, nounHigh Church, nounHigh Mass, nounHoly Communion, nounHoly Father, nounHoly Spirit, nounHoly Week, nounHoly Writ, nounhomily, nounhymn book, nounimprimatur, nounincarnation, nouninduct, verbindulgence, nouninquisitor, nouninterdenominational, adjectiveinterdict, nounJehovah, Jesuit, nounJesus, judgment day, nounlay, adjectivelay reader, nounlectern, nounlesson, nounlitany, nounLow Church, nounlychgate, nounMadonna, nounmanna, nounmanse, nounmatins, nounmeeting-house, nounmessianic, adjectiveMethodist, nounminister, nounministerial, adjectiveministry, nounminster, nounmiracle, nounmissal, nounmissionary, nounmitre, nounmoderator, nounMonsignor, nounMorning Prayer, nounmortal sin, nounMother of God, nounMother Superior, nounname day, nounNativity, nounNativity play, nounnave, nounNegro spiritual, nounNoah's ark, nounNonconformist, adjectivenuncio, nounoffertory, nounoratory, nounordination, nounoriginal sin, nounOur Father, nounOur Lady, Our Lord, padre, nounPalm Sunday, nounpapacy, nounpapal, adjectivepapist, nounparable, nounparish, nounparish church, nounparish clerk, nounparishioner, nounparochial, adjectiveparochial school, nounparson, nounparsonage, nounpassion play, nounpastor, nounpatriarch, nounpatron saint, nounpenance, nounpenitent, nounPentecost, nounPentecostal, adjectiveperdition, nounPlymouth Brethren, nounpontiff, nounpontifical, adjectivepontificate, nounPope, nounprayer book, nounpredestination, nounprelate, nounPresbyterian, nounpresbytery, nounpriest, nounPrimate, nounprior, nounprioress, nounpriory, nounPromised Land, the, Protestant, nounpsalm, nounpsalmist, nounpsalter, nounpulpit, nounQuaker, nounRC, rector, nounrectory, nounredeem, verbredemption, nounrequiem, nounRev, Revd, Reverend, nounReverend Mother, nounrevival, nounrevival meeting, nounRoman Catholic, adjectiverood screen, nounrosary, nounsacrament, nounsacristan, nounsacristy, nounsaint, nounsainted, adjectivesainthood, nounsaint's day, nounsalvation, nounsanctuary, nounSatan, nounsave, verbschism, nounscriptural, adjectivesecular, adjectivesee, nounseminary, nounseraph, nounsermon, nounsexton, nounShrove Tuesday, nounsister, nounsisterhood, nounSJ, special licence, nounsteeple, nounstigmata, nounstoup, nounSunday school, nounsurplice, nounsynod, nountabernacle, nountestify, verbtransubstantiation, nounTrappist, noununfrock, verbUnitarian, nounvenial, adjectivevespers, nounvestment, nounvestry, nounvicar, nounvicarage, nounvotive, adjectivevow, nounVulgate, the, nounWhitsun, nounwimple, nounXmas, noun Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► place/put/lay a bet on something · She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven. ► a bird lays its eggs · The bird lays a single egg on the ground. ► lay/run a cable (=put one in position somewhere)· In the 1860s the first cables were laid under the oceans. ► fit/lay a carpet (=cut it to fit a room and fix it to the floor)· Will it cost extra to have the carpet fitted? ► draw up/lay down a code (=create one)· The syndicate decided to draw up a code of conduct for its members. ► lay down/set/impose conditions (=say what someone must agree to)· They laid down certain conditions before agreeing to the ceasefire. ► lay ... eggs  Blackbirds lay their eggs in March. ► place/lay emphasis on something formal· The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team. ► lay off employees (=stop employing them because there is no work for them to do)· Unions fear that many part-time employees will be laid off. ► lay/place something end to end (=in a line, with the ends touching)· The roof tiles are laid end to end. ► lay on/put on entertainment (=organize and provide it)· The organizers laid on some entertainment for the children. ► lay flat  He lay flat on the floor. ► lay flat on ... back  That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. ► lay ... foundations  It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations. ► prepare/lay the ground (=to provide the situation or conditions in which something can develop successfully) ► lay down/establish ground rules for something  Our book lays down the ground rules for building a patio successfully. ► laid ... groundwork  His speech laid the groundwork for independence. ► laid-back attitude/manner/approach etc  He is famed for his laid-back attitude. ► give your life/lay down your life (=die in order to save other people, or because of a strong belief)· These men gave their lives during the war to keep us free. ► lay mines  They learnt how to lay mines (=put them in place). ► lay a pipe · They were digging a trench to lay water pipes. ► lay down a principle (=describe a principle and make it accepted)· The report lays down general principles for the teaching of English. ► set/lay down a standard · The government sets standards that all hospitals must reach. ► laid down by statute  Protection for the consumer is laid down by statute (=established by law). ► set/lay the table (=put knives, forks etc on a table before a meal)· The table was set for fourteen. ► lay/set a trap (for somebody)  Police had set a trap for hooligans at the match. ► laid ... wreath  The prime minister laid a wreath at the war memorial. COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► brother · Ranulf watched Corbett, the lay brother acting as interpreter, in deep conversation with the tavern-keeper.· The door opened and he staggered, almost fell, into the arms of the astonished lay brother.· A lay brother let us in through a postern gate where others took care of our horses and baggage.· The Cistercian monks with their lay brothers administered the abbey wool trade.· A lay brother came by, keys clanking.· The lay brothers brought the fleeces to hamlet and village and collected the spun yarn and woven cloth from the workers.· The next day, with a lay brother as a guide, Corbett and Ranulf left the abbey and journeyed south. ► member · The lay members have the same say as the chairman.· The review was carried out by Vivian Rubinstein, a lay member of the Health Authority.· She is also a lay member of the Stockport Family Health Authority.· The group consists of both professional and voluntary lay members. ► people · Yet lay people had almost no way of making themselves heard in Rome.· There are many lay people who share and live out of the same insight.· Muhlenberg came to the point of urging lay people not to give gratuities at all, even to the licensed pastors.· Sophisticated equipment, white coats and medical jargon serve to make most lay people feel ignorant and less important.· With his lay people he had good fortune.· He did not possess a markedly religious temperament, and most of his concerns were those he could share with lay people.· But that, of course, is the rub: scholars want to make explicit what lay people know implicitly. ► person · The weakness of these controls throws the spotlight on the Police Complaints Authority composed of lay persons.· Had he been a lay person, the choice would have been easy: conscience.· A lay person would appear to be able to do little in this direction, except perhaps check with local trade associations.· The libraries are well stocked with books on the law, many of them designed to help the lay person.· No lay person ever claimed that dignity.· Attendance or help by paid lay persons can also properly be the subject of a claim for expenses.· If lay persons can tell the difference, why not some of those with a claim to expertise on these matters? ► preacher · Nonni was the daughter of a prosperous dealer in scrap metal who had also been a lay preacher.· A non-conformist lay preacher, he fought the November byelection.· A lay preacher, his house was the meeting-place of a gathered church by 1649.· Many of its earlier leaders were lay preachers who entered politics in order to apply their religious ideals in practical ways.· Les was a bit of a lay preacher, but did not push his views on anyone. ► public · Most of these symbols, though unintelligible to the lay public, hold great meaning and value to the nurses.· The navy yards are religious sanctuaries completely inviolate on the part of the lay public. ► subsidy · The 1275 lay subsidy of a fifteenth fell also upon their temporalities. Phrases PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► lay something bare The depth of the problem is laid bare in the fact that 40% of 18- to 25- year-olds are unemployed. The excavation laid bare the streets of the ancient city. ► put/lay your cards on the table If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good. If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table. They're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate. Come on, you can lay your cards on the table in this house. The new rules appear to encourage parties to lay their cards on the table and facilitate early settlements. ► lay an egg The first episode of the series laid an egg. A few species laid eggs beneath mounds of rotten vegetation that warmed as it decayed. Adults grow to varying sizes, depending on food available, and lay eggs in late summer. Female brush turkeys visit the males' mounds, lay eggs in them, and depart. Gravid female fig wasps enter figs, lay eggs and die. In turn the later reptiles could diversify on land when they could lay eggs away from a watery environment. The wasp lays eggs inside the eggs laid by the whitefly, thereby destroying the whitefly eggs. These mate, fly away and the females find new plants to lay eggs on. Within it, they copulate and lay eggs. ► set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something Bedford disliked Halsey the minute he set eyes on him. How could she possibly know, since he had not set eyes on the girl? I bonded on the second night I laid eyes on Hyakutake. Just hours earlier she had set eyes on the pretty two-year-old and sister Anna-Camilla, seven, for the first time. Never anywhere have I set eyes on such a one. No sooner did she set eyes on the gentleman than she recognised his pecuniary position to be merely temporary. The couple fell in love before they had even set eyes on each other during a six-month long distance courtship. ► not lay a finger on somebody► lay/provide the foundation(s) for something Tests on healthy people may lay the foundation for a vaccine to prevent AIDS. I think you have to lay the foundation for your success in terms of defense and rebounding. It laid the foundation for an organisation with greater appeal to the deaf themselves, particularly the young. These arguments provide the foundation for Simmel's account of the contradictory nature of modern life. This theory also laid the foundation for the modern revolution in our understanding of the deepest parts of the earth. To generate fundamental knowledge that can lay the foundation for future advances in high-performance computing and communications. We could say that she is laying the foundations for dressing herself later on. What is stressed rather is that the same phenomenon provides the foundation for both historical tendencies. While incomplete, the steps that were taken laid the foundation for Workplace 2000. ► lay a guilt trip on somebody► lay your hands on something Government reports, social legislation, anything she could lay her hands on that would better acquaint her with her work. He will sell anything he can lay his hands on in exchange for drugs, which includes any information he may have. I know exactly where to lay my hands on them. I like writing letters and reading anything I can lay my hands on! Kabari women use whatever birth control technology they can lay their hands on. Looters carried clothes out of shop windows along with anything else they could lay their hands on. Monday I felt driven to eat everything I could lay my hands on. Some one had to overturn the present political arrangements in the Limousin if he was ever to lay his hands on Hautefort. ► kill the goose that lays the golden egg High taxes kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. ► put/lay/set down a marker► new-made/new-formed/new-laid etc► lay/put something to rest Many of the public's doubts have now been laid to rest. A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn. I think this definitely puts it to rest. Kwasniewski has said he may dissolve parliament to put the issue to rest and call for new elections. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. The time has come to put this to rest. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay somebody to rest At nightfall she was tired and lay down to rest. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. We can't even lay him to rest. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay siege to somebody/something After his victory Edward rallied his troops and marched north to lay siege to Calais. Almost ten years had passed since they had first laid siege to the town, and it seemed as strong as ever. He laid siege to the fortress and gradually weakened it to the point of collapse. In 476 they laid siege to Eion, which guarded the Strymon bridge. In June 1176 Richard laid siege to Limoges; after a few days resistance Aimar's citadel capitulated. In less than two generations, since the Second World War, they have laid siege to the academic world. She had laid siege to the typists' room for some minutes before Marshall had persuaded her downstairs. ► lay it on with a trowel a)not trained or not knowing much about a particular profession or subject → layman:  lay witnesses b)not in an official position in the church:  a lay preacher lay1 verblay2 verblay3 adjectivelay4 noun laylay4 noun [countable] Word Origin WORD ORIGINlay4 Origin: 1-3 1800-1900 ➔ LAY14 1200-1300 Old French lai Examples EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS And the great lays - you can learn them, meantime. Failure to recognise slopes until committed to landing Make a point of looking for the lay of the surrounding countryside. word sets WORD SETS► Literature acrostic, nounadapt, verballiteration, nounanagram, nounannual, nounanthology, nounantihero, nounapologia, nounappendix, nounassonance, nounauthorship, nounautobiography, nounballad, nounbard, nounbathos, nounbiography, nounblank verse, nounbowdlerize, verbburlesque, nouncaesura, nouncameo, nouncanon, nouncanto, nouncaricature, nounchapter, nouncharacterization, nouncitation, nounclimax, nounclimax, verbcoda, nouncollected, adjectiveconceit, nouncorpus, nouncouplet, nouncritique, noundactyl, noundeclamatory, adjectivedeconstruction, noundense, adjectivedevice, noundialogue, noundiarist, noundiction, noundigest, noundoggerel, noundraft, noundraft, verbdrama, noundub, nounelegy, nounending, nounepic, adjectiveepigram, nounepilogue, nounepistolary, adjectiveepitaph, nounessay, nounessayist, nouneulogy, nounexegesis, nounfable, nounfairy tale, nounfantasy, nounfiction, nounfictional, adjectivefirst edition, nounfirst person, nounflashback, nounflorid, adjectiveflowery, adjectivefolk, adjectiveforeword, nounformulaic, adjectivefree verse, nounghost story, nounGothic, adjectivegrandiloquent, adjectivehaiku, nounheroic, adjectiveheroic couplet, nounhexameter, nounhumorist, nounhyperbole, nouniamb, nouniambic pentameter, nounimage, nounimagery, nouninformal, adjectiveingénue, nouninstalment, nounirony, nounjournal, nounlay, nounlimerick, nounlit., literary, adjectiveliterature, nounlyric, adjectivelyric, nounlyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounman of letters, nounmanuscript, nounmetaphor, nounmetaphorical, adjectivemetre, nounmetrical, adjectivemonologue, nounnarrative, nounnarrator, nounnaturalism, nounnaturalistic, adjectivenom de plume, nounnovel, nounnovelist, nounnovella, nounnursery rhyme, nounode, nounonomatopoeia, nounpadding, nounpaean, nounparagraph, nounparaphrase, verbparaphrase, nounparenthetical, adjectivepassage, nounpathetic fallacy, nounpen name, nounpentameter, nounperiphrasis, nounperoration, nounpicaresque, adjectiveplaywright, nounplot, nounpoem, nounpoet, nounpoetess, nounpoetic, adjectivepoetic licence, nounpoet laureate, nounpoetry, nounpolemic, nounpolemical, adjectivepotboiler, nounprécis, nounpreface, nounprefatory, adjectiveprologue, nounprose, nounprosody, nounprotagonist, nounpseudonym, nounpulp, nounquatrain, nounquotation, nounquote, verbreading, nounrecite, verbrendition, nounrevise, verbrevision, nounrhetoric, nounrhyme, nounrhyme, verbromance, nounsaga, nounsatire, nounsatirist, nounscience fiction, nounscribbler, nounscript, nounself-portrait, nounSF, Shakespearean, adjectiveshort story, nounsimile, nounsoliloquy, nounsonnet, nounstanza, nounstilted, adjectivestory, nounstream of consciousness, nounstylist, nounsubplot, nounsubtitle, nounsuperhero, nounsurrealism, nounsurrealistic, adjectivesynopsis, nountailpiece, nountale, nountalking book, nountearjerker, nountext, nountextual, adjectivetexture, nountheme, nounthriller, nountitle, nountragedian, nountragedy, nountragic, adjectivetragicomedy, nountrope, nounturgid, adjectiveunabridged, adjectiveverse, nounvignette, nounvolume, nounweepy, nounwell-turned, adjectivewhodunit, nounwriter, nounwriter's block, nounyarn, noun Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► place/put/lay a bet on something · She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven. ► a bird lays its eggs · The bird lays a single egg on the ground. ► lay/run a cable (=put one in position somewhere)· In the 1860s the first cables were laid under the oceans. ► fit/lay a carpet (=cut it to fit a room and fix it to the floor)· Will it cost extra to have the carpet fitted? ► draw up/lay down a code (=create one)· The syndicate decided to draw up a code of conduct for its members. ► lay down/set/impose conditions (=say what someone must agree to)· They laid down certain conditions before agreeing to the ceasefire. ► lay ... eggs  Blackbirds lay their eggs in March. ► place/lay emphasis on something formal· The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team. ► lay off employees (=stop employing them because there is no work for them to do)· Unions fear that many part-time employees will be laid off. ► lay/place something end to end (=in a line, with the ends touching)· The roof tiles are laid end to end. ► lay on/put on entertainment (=organize and provide it)· The organizers laid on some entertainment for the children. ► lay flat  He lay flat on the floor. ► lay flat on ... back  That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. ► lay ... foundations  It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations. ► prepare/lay the ground (=to provide the situation or conditions in which something can develop successfully) ► lay down/establish ground rules for something  Our book lays down the ground rules for building a patio successfully. ► laid ... groundwork  His speech laid the groundwork for independence. ► laid-back attitude/manner/approach etc  He is famed for his laid-back attitude. ► give your life/lay down your life (=die in order to save other people, or because of a strong belief)· These men gave their lives during the war to keep us free. ► lay mines  They learnt how to lay mines (=put them in place). ► lay a pipe · They were digging a trench to lay water pipes. ► lay down a principle (=describe a principle and make it accepted)· The report lays down general principles for the teaching of English. ► set/lay down a standard · The government sets standards that all hospitals must reach. ► laid down by statute  Protection for the consumer is laid down by statute (=established by law). ► set/lay the table (=put knives, forks etc on a table before a meal)· The table was set for fourteen. ► lay/set a trap (for somebody)  Police had set a trap for hooligans at the match. ► laid ... wreath  The prime minister laid a wreath at the war memorial. Phrases PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the lay of the land He's got to get the lay of the land before he makes any decisions. A lot of people, especially those new to the city, have no concept of the lay of the land. ► the lay of something A lot of people, especially those new to the city, have no concept of the lay of the land. Failure to recognise slopes until committed to landing Make a point of looking for the lay of the surrounding countryside. It was therefore an important moment when Tolkien gave Lewis the Lay of Leithian to read in manuscript. ► be a good/quick/easy etc lay I don't deny it was a good lay. PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► lay something bare The depth of the problem is laid bare in the fact that 40% of 18- to 25- year-olds are unemployed. The excavation laid bare the streets of the ancient city. ► put/lay your cards on the table If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good. If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table. They're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate. Come on, you can lay your cards on the table in this house. The new rules appear to encourage parties to lay their cards on the table and facilitate early settlements. ► lay an egg The first episode of the series laid an egg. A few species laid eggs beneath mounds of rotten vegetation that warmed as it decayed. Adults grow to varying sizes, depending on food available, and lay eggs in late summer. Female brush turkeys visit the males' mounds, lay eggs in them, and depart. Gravid female fig wasps enter figs, lay eggs and die. In turn the later reptiles could diversify on land when they could lay eggs away from a watery environment. The wasp lays eggs inside the eggs laid by the whitefly, thereby destroying the whitefly eggs. These mate, fly away and the females find new plants to lay eggs on. Within it, they copulate and lay eggs. ► set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something Bedford disliked Halsey the minute he set eyes on him. How could she possibly know, since he had not set eyes on the girl? I bonded on the second night I laid eyes on Hyakutake. Just hours earlier she had set eyes on the pretty two-year-old and sister Anna-Camilla, seven, for the first time. Never anywhere have I set eyes on such a one. No sooner did she set eyes on the gentleman than she recognised his pecuniary position to be merely temporary. The couple fell in love before they had even set eyes on each other during a six-month long distance courtship. ► not lay a finger on somebody► lay/provide the foundation(s) for something Tests on healthy people may lay the foundation for a vaccine to prevent AIDS. I think you have to lay the foundation for your success in terms of defense and rebounding. It laid the foundation for an organisation with greater appeal to the deaf themselves, particularly the young. These arguments provide the foundation for Simmel's account of the contradictory nature of modern life. This theory also laid the foundation for the modern revolution in our understanding of the deepest parts of the earth. To generate fundamental knowledge that can lay the foundation for future advances in high-performance computing and communications. We could say that she is laying the foundations for dressing herself later on. What is stressed rather is that the same phenomenon provides the foundation for both historical tendencies. While incomplete, the steps that were taken laid the foundation for Workplace 2000. ► lay a guilt trip on somebody► lay your hands on something Government reports, social legislation, anything she could lay her hands on that would better acquaint her with her work. He will sell anything he can lay his hands on in exchange for drugs, which includes any information he may have. I know exactly where to lay my hands on them. I like writing letters and reading anything I can lay my hands on! Kabari women use whatever birth control technology they can lay their hands on. Looters carried clothes out of shop windows along with anything else they could lay their hands on. Monday I felt driven to eat everything I could lay my hands on. Some one had to overturn the present political arrangements in the Limousin if he was ever to lay his hands on Hautefort. ► kill the goose that lays the golden egg High taxes kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. ► put/lay/set down a marker► new-made/new-formed/new-laid etc► lay/put something to rest Many of the public's doubts have now been laid to rest. A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn. I think this definitely puts it to rest. Kwasniewski has said he may dissolve parliament to put the issue to rest and call for new elections. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. The time has come to put this to rest. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay somebody to rest At nightfall she was tired and lay down to rest. Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest. She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking. We can't even lay him to rest. Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest. ► lay siege to somebody/something After his victory Edward rallied his troops and marched north to lay siege to Calais. Almost ten years had passed since they had first laid siege to the town, and it seemed as strong as ever. He laid siege to the fortress and gradually weakened it to the point of collapse. In 476 they laid siege to Eion, which guarded the Strymon bridge. In June 1176 Richard laid siege to Limoges; after a few days resistance Aimar's citadel capitulated. In less than two generations, since the Second World War, they have laid siege to the academic world. She had laid siege to the typists' room for some minutes before Marshall had persuaded her downstairs. ► lay it on with a trowel 1the lay of the land a)the situation that exists at a particular time:  Get the lay of the land before you make any decisions. b)the appearance of an area of land, for example the way it slopes2the lay of something the appearance of something and where each part of it is:  Mr. Lowe will give you the lay of the camp and tell you what we’re going to be doing.3be a good/quick/easy etc lay informal to be a good, quick etc person to have sex with4literary a poem or song
随便看	typing pool typist typo typographer typographic typographically typography typological typology tyrannical tyrannize tyrannosaurus tyrannous tyranny tyrant tyre Tyrol Tyrolean Tyson, Mike tzar tzarina tzarism tzetze fly tête-à-tête U.

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