L
Idioms beginning with "L"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of L:
[lay]
See:
[KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG].
[lay a finger on] {v. phr.}
To touch or bother, even a little. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences.
Don't you dare lay a finger on the vase!
* /Suppose Billy fakes his brother with him; wilt the mean, tough boy down the […]
[lay about one] {v. phr.}
To hit out in all directions. — Used with a reflexive object: "her", "him", or "them".
* /The bandits surrounded the sheriff, but he laid about him so hard, with his gun used as a club, that they stepped back and let him […]
[lay an egg] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To fail to win the interest or favor of an audience.
His joke laid an egg.
Sometimes he is a successful speaker, but sometimes he lays an egg.
[lay aside] {v. phr.}
1. To put off until another time; interrupt an activity.
The president laid aside politics to turn to foreign affairs.
2. To save.
They tried to lay aside a little money each week for their vacation.
[lay at one's door] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To blame (something) on a person.
The failure of the plan was laid at his door.
Compare: [LAY TO] (1).
[lay away] {v.}
1. To save.
She laid a little of her pay away each week.
2. To bury (a person). — Used to avoid the word "bury", which some people think is unpleasant.
He was laid away in his favorite spot on the hill.
[lay bare] {v. phr.}
To expose; reveal; divulge.
During his testimony the witness laid bare the whole story of his involvement with the accused.
[lay by] {v.}
To save, especially a little at a time.
The students laid a little money by every week till they had enough for a trip to Florida.
The farmer laid by some of his best corn to use the next year for seed.