lay of the land

lay of the land
: the disposition of circumstances which one is considering

wanted to know more about the lay of the land before investing

* * *

the general state or condition of affairs under consideration; the facts of a situation: We asked a few questions to get the lay of the land.
Also, esp. Brit., lie of the land.

* * *

lay of the land (chiefly N American) same as ↑lie of the land (see under ↑lie2). lay on
1. To install a supply of
2. To provide
3. To deal blows with vigour
4. To arrange made-up pages in the correct order on the imposing surface (also lay down; printing)
• • •
Main Entry: ↑lay

* * *

lay of the land,
1. the nature of the place; the position of hills, water, woods, or the like: »

Scouts were sent out to learn the lay of the land.

2. Figurative. = the condition of things; state of affairs: »

Spies were sent to find out the lay of the land.

* * *

noun
the lay of the land
US : the arrangement of the different parts in an area of land : where things are located in a place

She knew the lay of the land from hiking through it daily.

— often used figuratively

It takes time for new employees to get the lay of the land [=to learn how things are done] in this department.

; called also (Brit) the lie of the land

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lay of the land — also[how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./ 2. The way something is arranged; the important facts… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lay of the land — also[how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./ 2. The way something is arranged; the important facts… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lay\ of\ the\ land — • lay of the land • how the land lies n. phr. 1. the natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land. 2. the way something is arranged; the important… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lay of the land — The lay of the land is the way something is organised, runs, is arranged, etc. ( The lie of the land is also used.) …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • lay of the land — the general state or condition of affairs under consideration; the facts of a situation: We asked a few questions to get the lay of the land. Also, esp. Brit., lie of the land. * * * …   Universalium

  • lay of the land — n. 1. the arrangement of the natural features of an area 2. the existing state or disposition of affairs …   English World dictionary

  • lay of the land — See get the lay of the land …   English idioms

  • the lay of the land — Lay Lay, n. 1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. Addison. [1913 Webster] A viol should have a lay of wire strings below. Bacon.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • the lay of the land — the lay (Brit. lie) of the land the way in which the features or characteristics of an area present themselves ■ figurative the current situation or state of affairs she was beginning to see the lay of the land with her in laws * * * the lay of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • (the) lay of the land — the lay of the land american phrase the lie of the land Thesaurus: general words for situations and circumstancessynonym views and landscapessynonym difficult situations and experiencessynonym Main entry …   Useful english dictionary

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