lay out

verb

1. to arrange or spread out

2. to prepare (a corpse) for burial or cremation

3. to plan or contrive

4. informal,  to spend (money), esp lavishly

5. informal,  to knock unconscious

6. informal,  to exert (oneself) or put (oneself) to an effort

   he laid himself out to please us

noun

1. the arrangement or plan of something, such as a building

2. the arrangement of written material, photographs, or other artwork on an advertisement or page in a book, newspaper, etc

3. a preliminary plan indicating this

4. a drawing showing the relative disposition of parts in a machine, etc

5. the act of laying out

6. something laid out

7. the formation of cards on the table in various games, esp in patience

8. informal,  a residence or establishment, esp a large one

Idioms and Phrases

Make a detailed plan, design, or explanation, as in They laid out the exact dimensions in order to construct the new display , or Robert laid out next year's plans for his staff . [Mid-1700s]

Prepare a dead body for burial, as in He died that morning and was laid out for the wake by afternoon . [Late 1500s]

Rebuke harshly, as in She laid me out for breaking the vase . [ Slang ; late 1800s]

Knock unconscious or to the ground, render helpless, as in He laid him out with one good punch . [Late 1800s]

Expend, spend, as in She laid out a fortune on jewelry . [Mid-1400s]

Display or arrange, especially in a particular order, as in He asked her to lay out the merchandise in an attractive way . [Mid-1400s]

Example Sentences

The report lays out what it sees as the causes of the crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

The 28-page letter — whose full contents have not been made public — also lays out in sweeping detail how it wants the university to enforce new policies that adhere to the president’s conservative agenda.

From Los Angeles Times

It's worth creating a morning and evening routine and even something as simple as laying out clothes or prepping breakfast ahead of time frees your mind from constant decision-making.

From BBC

They wanted a captive audience for long enough to lay out their case for change.

From Los Angeles Times

In his conference speech on Friday, Nigel Farage also pledged to cut welfare spending, but did not lay out any specifics about which benefits would be targeted and by how much,

From BBC

Related Words

• arrange 
• chart 
• outline