lay about one

Idioms  

1. Strike blows on all sides, as in When the dogs cornered the old man, he laid about him with his cane . [Early 1400s]

2. Act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, as in When there was an opportunity for profit, he laid about him . [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

They lay about one mile apart, and were of the form shown in Illustration 2, which will give a good idea of the flat-topped hills hereabouts.

From Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 2 by Grey, George

One bright morning the anchor was weighed, and the sloop stood away on her cruise to the island of Vincent, which lay about one hundred miles to the westward.

From The Story of Paul Boyton Voyages on All the Great Rivers of the World by Boyton, Paul

Far to the south, on the Wabash River, in what is now the State of Indiana, was another fort called Vincennes, which lay about one hundred and fifty miles to the east of Fort Kaskaskia.

From Historical Tales, Vol. 2 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Morris, Charles

The gold on this field was found in “leads”—that lay about one hundred and sixty feet below the surface of the ground.

From Lost Lenore The Adventures of a Rolling Stone by Beach, Charles A.

It lay about one hundred yards from the water, and not more; but the first inconvenience was, it was uphill towards the creek.

From The Children's Hour, v 5. Stories From Seven Old Favorites by Tappan, Eva March