lay on

British  

verb

1. to provide or supply

   to lay on entertainment

2. to install

   to lay on electricity

3. informal

   1. to exaggerate, esp when flattering

   2. to charge an exorbitant price

   3. to punish or strike harshly

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lay on Idioms  

1. Cover with, apply; also, use. For example, He decided to lay on a second coat of primer , or She laid on a thick Southern accent . [c. 1600] Also see lay it on thick .

2. Inflict blows, attack, as in “Lay on, Macduff; and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'” (Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5:8 ). [Early 1200s]

3. Impose or cast something on someone, as in The government laid a tax on landholders , or Dad had a way of laying the guilt for his shortcomings on his partners . This usage is also found in , as in Nancy could always find someone to lay the blame on , or Jerry put the blame on Bill . [1300s]

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Example Sentences

Akira’s chestnut gelding lay on his side, half in and half out of the water as the pool cover sagged under his weight.

From Literature

She lay on her back, arms spread out wide, and listened to her body speak to her.

From Literature

Owen lay on his back and panted for a few seconds, then turned and saw Nanuq coming straight for the cabin.

From Literature

Pelicarnassus looked up in shock from where he lay on the floor.

From Literature

With one more tug and two more pushes, all four of Kevin’s legs had buckled and he lay on his side, clearly not at all sure how he’d gotten there.

From Literature

Related Words

• award
• bequeath
• contribute
• devote
• give
• give away
• grant
• hand out
• present
• provide