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

It lay on the medieval spice route between Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and its strategic position made it a target for colonial occupation, most importantly by Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"I became so scared and attempted to run away, but a friend dragged me and we all lay on the ground," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

As I lay on the living room floor in pain, he flopped beside me and blinked slowly.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 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

A thick coating of snow lay on the ice, and this we could drink.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Related Words

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