to put (something) down on a surface, especially gently or with care
to spread (something or somebody) over a surface
to set (something) in order or position for use
Lay the table for dinner
to put (strands) in place and twist them to form a rope, hawser, or cable
said of a female, bird, reptile, etc: to produce (an egg)
(often + on/upon) to put or impose (something) as a duty, burden, or punishment
(often + on/upon) to advance (a charge or accusation) against somebody
to assign (blame) to a particular person or group
(+ on/upon) to assign (importance) to something
We lay great stress on grammar
to assert or allege (a claim, etc)
to submit (a case, argument, etc) for examination and judgment
to prepare or contrive (a plan, scheme, etc)
to bring (something) into position or against or into contact with something
to bring (something) to a specified condition
They blow laid the bone bare
to put (a stake) on an outcome
I'd lay my life on it
coarse slang to have sexual intercourse with (somebody)
archaic to exorcize (a ghost)
archaic to bury (a dead person)
said esp of a hen: to produce eggs
to deal blows indiscriminately, lashing out on all sides
to seize (somebody or something) forcibly
to find (something)
informal to attack or criticize (somebody) fiercely
to exaggerate, esp in order to flatter or convince somebody
That was really laying it on a bit thick
to charge an exorbitant price
to knock or bring (somebody) down
to cause (somebody) to be ill or physically weakened
to make (something) public; to disclose (information)
to expose (something), e.g.:
to cut it
a blow that laid his head open
to explain it or make it known
the facts of the case were laid wide open