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

He lay on the court in pain for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

Finch said after the surgery she had to lay on her front and was only allowed to stand up for one hour a day.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

She said the experience had been "absolute hell", adding it took her six months before she could lay on her back again.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Wells and many others had been, that Christianity, and religious belief itself, lay on the verge of extinction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

He lay on his back, staring up at the dried mushrooms strung across his ceiling.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

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