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

See Examples For:

lay about one

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 George Grey

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 Eva March Tappan

Meanwhile they passed the square, and began to turn toward the starosta's house, which lay about one furlong and a half farther on, near the roadside.

From The Deluge, Vol. I. (of 2) An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. by Henryk Sienkiewicz

The fortified camp of the Americans lay about one and one-half miles below, in a parallel line, from the British.

From See America First by Orville O. Hiestand

The pretty daughter of Farmer Perfrement, whose farm lay about one and a half miles out of East Dereham, was one of those who took occasion to earn a few shillings for pin-money.

From The Life of George Borrow by Herbert George Jenkins