lay of the land, the

Idioms  

1. The nature, arrangement, or disposition of something, the general state of affairs, as in Once we know the lay of the land, we can plan our advertising campaign. A related expression is how the land lies, as in Let's be cautious till we know how the land lies. This usage originated in Britain about 1700 as the lie of the land and is still so used there.

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Example Sentences

“I don’t understand the intricacies and nuances, the lay of the land, the psyche.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2021

During the first week of tramping he thoroughly learned the lay of the land, the topography of his particular stretch of Sherman Pass.

From The U. P. Trail by Grey, Zane

"The lay of the land, the strength of the enemy's position, how his army is laid out, and, lastly, the feasibility of a quick dash over the Alps."

From The Boy Allies in Great Peril Or, With the Italian Army in the Alps by Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)

You must be careful to describe all these marks exactly; the ruins, too, the ca�on, the lay of the land, the points of the compass—everything.

From The Talking Leaves An Indian Story by Stoddard, William Osborn

Finally he wrote accurate notes concerning the topography of each and every pine district,—the lay of the land; the hills, ravines, swamps, and valleys; the distance from the river; the character of the soil.

From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward

Related Words

• contour