lay about one
Idioms-
Strike blows on all sides, as in When the dogs cornered the old man, he laid about him with his cane . [Early 1400s]
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Act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, as in When there was an opportunity for profit, he laid about him . [c. 1600]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It lay about one hundred yards from the water, and not more; but the first inconvenience was, it was up hill towards the creek.
From Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
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 Paul Boyton
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 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
A few musical instruments lay about; one of the old lists tells us of a lute, and guitars inlaid with ivory and enamel, and 'an old rebec' much out of repair.
From The Great Book-Collectors by Charles Isaac Elton
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
