lay on

idiomatic general

The phrase "lay on" is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from providing services to applying something onto a surface.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal)To provide or arrange something, such as a service or event.

Example

They laid on extra buses for the concert.
The hotel laid on a special dinner for the guests.

B1Everyday

(informal)To apply or spread something onto a surface.

Example

She laid on a thick layer of paint.
He laid the icing on the cake.

B2Communication

(informal)To exaggerate or overemphasize something.

Example

He really laid it on about how hard the work was.
She laid on the compliments, hoping to get a raise.

C1Slang

(slang)To give something, such as money or drugs, to someone.

Example

He laid on some cash for the night out.
They laid on some supplies for the trip.

C2Historical

(archaic)To attack or strike.

Example

The knight laid on his opponent with great force.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay on":

lay over lay about lay in lay down lay by lie down lay open lay to lay figure lay away lay into lie over lie in lay back lie upon lie back lie around lay out lie with lie by lay in lavender lie behind lay to rest lay on the line lay up laid up lay waste lay aside lie in the way lay bare rest on lie before lay a foundation sleep on lay it on thick flat on one's back lay odds lean on slept on lay off lay low on one's back get laid bed down lard down layer up doss down sleep with lay a finger on lie on the oars sit on face down get down on land on lay an egg sit over