lay

verb

放下；展开 put down/spread

1. （尤指轻轻地或小心地）放置，安放，搁
   to put sb/sth in a particular position, especially when it is done gently or carefully
   1. She laid the baby down gently on the bed.
      她把婴儿轻轻地放在床上。
   2. He laid a hand on my arm.
      他把手搭在我的胳膊上。
   3. The horse laid back its ears.
      那匹马把耳朵往后竖着。
   4. Relatives laid wreaths on the grave.
      死者亲属在墓前献了花圈。
   5. The cloth should be laid flat.
      布应展开平放。
2. 铺，铺放，铺设（尤指在地板上）
   to put sth down, especially on the floor, ready to be used
   1. to lay a carpet/cable/pipe
      铺地毯；铺设电缆；铺管道
   2. The foundations of the house are being laid today.
      今天正在给房子打地基。
   3. They had laid the groundwork for future development.
      他们为此后的发展奠定了基础。
3. （在某物上）摊开，涂，敷；用一层…覆盖
   to spread sth on sth; to cover sth with a layer of sth
   1. Before they started they laid newspaper on the floor.
      他们开始前在地板上铺了报纸。
   2. The floor was laid with newspaper.
      地板上铺了报纸。
   3. The grapes were laid to dry on racks.
      葡萄被摊放在架子上晾干。

卵 eggs

4. （鸟、昆虫、鱼等）下（蛋），产（卵）
   if a bird, an insect, a fish, etc. lays eggs, it produces them from its body
   1. The cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds' nests.
      杜鹃在其他鸟的巢中产蛋。
   2. new-laid eggs
      鲜蛋
   3. The hens are not laying well (= not producing many eggs) .
      母鸡现在不爱下蛋。

桌子 table

5. 摆放餐具于（餐桌，准备就餐）
   to arrange knives, forks, plates, etc. on a table ready for a meal
   1. to lay the table
      摆好餐具准备用餐

提出建议 present proposal

6. 提出，提交（建议、信息等）
   to present a proposal, some information, etc. to sb for them to think about and decide on
   1. The bill was laid before Parliament.
      议案已提交议会审议。

困境 difficult situation

7. 使处于特定状态（尤指困境）
   to put sb/sth in a particular position or state, especially a difficult or unpleasant one
   1. to lay a responsibility/burden on sb
      把责任 / 重担加于某人身上
   2. to lay sb under an obligation to do sth
      使某人承担做某事的义务

与名词连用 with nouns

8. （与名词连用构成短语，其含义与该相关名词的动词相同）
   used with a noun to form a phrase that has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun
   1. to lay the blame on sb (= to blame sb)
      归咎于某人
   2. Our teacher lays great stress on good spelling (= stresses it strongly) .
      我们老师着力强调要拼写正确。

计划；圈套 plan/trap

9. 周密准备；筹划；设置
   to prepare sth in detail
   1. to lay a trap for sb
      给某人设下圈套
   2. She began to lay her plans for her escape.
      她开始周密策划准备逃走。
   3. Bad weather can upset even the best-laid plans.
      天气不好，再好的计划也要打乱。

性交 have sex

10. 与（某人）性交
    to have sex with sb
    1. He went out hoping to get laid that night.
       他那天晚上外出希望找个女人睡一宿。

火 fire

11. （摆好木、柴或煤）生（火）
    to prepare a fire by arranging wood, sticks or coal

打赌 bet

12. 对…下赌金；下赌注
    to bet money on sth; to place a bet
    1. to lay a bet
       下赌注
    2. She had laid $100 on the favourite.
       她在那匹特别喜爱的马上下注100元。
    3. I'll lay you any money you like (that) he won't come.
       我看他不来了，你愿意赌多少钱我都奉陪。

adj.

1. 外行的；非专业的；缺少专门知识的
   not having expert knowledge or professional qualifications in a particular subject
   1. His book explains the theory for the lay public.
      他的书为大众阐明了这个理论。
2. 平信徒的；在俗的
   not in an official position in the Church
   1. a lay preacher
      在俗传道员

noun

1. 性伙伴；（尤指）性交的女人
   a partner in sex, especially a woman
   1. an easy lay (= a person who is ready and willing to have sex)
      淫妇
   2. to be a great lay
      为荒淫无度的荡妇
2. （通常供吟唱的）叙事诗
   a poem that was written to be sung, usually telling a story

VERB AND NOUN USES 动词和名词用法

In standard English, the form lay is also the past tense of the verb lie in some meanings. In informal English, people sometimes use the word lay instead of lie in those meanings.
在标准英语中，lay亦作动词lie某些义项的过去式。而在非正式英语中，人们有时用lay来代替这些义项中的lie。

Do not confuse the verb lay with the verb lie. Because lay is used to talk about putting something in a particular place or position, it is related to the verb lie. If someone lays something somewhere, it lies there. The past tense and past participle of lay are both laid and it is usually a transitive verb. They laid him on the floor. However, lie is an intransitive verb with the past tense lay and the past participle lain. I lay on the floor with my legs in the air.
不要混淆lay和lie这两个动词。lay表示将某物放于某处或某个位置，意思上与动词lie有相关之处。如某人把某物安放（lay）在某处，此物即放（lie）在那里。lay的过去式和过去分词均为laid，它通常用作及物动词。例如，They laid him on the floor（他们把他放在地上）。lie则为不及物动词，其过去式为lay，过去分词为lain：I lay on the floor with my legs in the air（我躺在地上，双腿抬起）。

1. VERB 放置；安放；搁
   If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way.
   1. Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor...
      在地上铺一张报纸。
   2. My father's working bench was covered with a cloth and his coffin was laid there...
      爸爸的工作台上盖了一块布，他的灵枢就陈放在那儿。
   3. Mothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep.
      母亲们一般让婴儿平躺着睡。
2. VERB 布置（餐桌）；摆放（餐具）
   If you lay the table or lay the places at a table, you arrange the knives, forks, and other things that people need on the table before a meal.
   1. The butler always laid the table.
      每次都是男管家把餐具摆好。

in AM, use 美国英语用 set


3. VERB 铺放；敷设；铺设
   If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position.
   1. A man came to lay the saloon carpet...
      一名男子来铺客厅的地毯。
   2. Public utilities dig up roads to lay pipes.
      公共事业公司挖路铺设管道。
4. VERB 布设，设置（陷阱）
   To lay a trap means to prepare it in order to catch someone or something.
   1. They were laying a trap for the kidnapper.
      他们设下一个圈套引绑匪上钩。
5. VERB （鸟）产（卵），下（蛋）
   When a female bird lays an egg, it produces an egg by pushing it out of its body.
   1. My canary has laid an egg...
      我的金丝雀生了一个蛋。
   2. Freezing weather in spring hampered the hens' ability to lay.
      春天严寒的天气降低了母鸡的产蛋能力。
6. VERB 奠定基础/制定规划
   Lay is used with some nouns to talk about making official preparations for something. For example, if you lay the basis for something or lay plans for it, you prepare it carefully.
   1. Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations...
      在智利会面的外交官们已经为那些对未来影响深远的环境保护条例的制定打好了基础。
   2. The organisers meet in March to lay plans.
      组织者们于3月碰头制订计划。
7. VERB 归咎/起诉
   Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime.
   1. She refused to lay the blame on any one party...
      她拒绝归咎于任何一方。
   2. He could not bear to lay too much responsibility for the unhappiness of his later years on his own shoulders...
      为自己晚景凄凉承担这么多责任，他接受不了。
   3. Police have decided not to lay charges over allegations of a telephone tapping operation.
      警方决定不就涉嫌窃听电话一事提出起诉。
8. VERB 押（赌注）；就…打赌
   If you say that you would lay bets, odds, or money on something happening, you mean that you are very confident that it will happen.
   1. I wouldn't lay bets on his still remaining manager after the spring...
      我看他的这个经理当不到春天之后了。
   2. I'll lay odds that Dean is at your office right now.
      我敢打赌迪安现在就在你办公室。
9. （指交媾）干，搞
   To lay someone means to have sex with them.
10. 床上功夫高者/轻易就上床者
    Lay is used in expressions such a good lay or an easy lay to describe what someone is like as a sexual partner.
11. PHRASE 过分夸大；言过其实
    If someone is laying it on thick or is laying it on, they are exaggerating a statement, experience, or emotion in order to try to impress people.
    1. Don't lay it on too thick, but make sure they are flattered...
       不要吹捧得太露骨，不过一定要恭维得他们很惬意。
    2. I may have spoken a bit too freely, been a bit extreme, even laid it on a little.
       我可能有些自由发挥，有些极端，甚至有些言过其实了。
12. PHRASE 使易受批评（或攻击）
    If you lay yourself open to criticism or attack, or if something lays you open to it, something you do makes it possible or likely that other people will criticize or attack you.
    1. The party thereby lays itself open to charges of conflict of interest...
       该党因此难免被人指责有利益冲突。
    2. Such a statement could lay her open to ridicule.
       这种言论会让人家笑话她。
13. to lay something bare → see: bare

ADJECTIVE USES 形容词用法

1. ADJ （基督教中）平信徒的，世俗的，非神职的
   You use lay to describe people who are involved with a Christian church but are not members of the clergy or are not monks or nuns.
   1. Edwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.
      爱德华是一位循道宗在俗传教士兼社会工作者。
2. ADJ 业余的；外行的；门外汉的
   You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity.
   1. It is difficult for a lay person to gain access to medical libraries...
      非业内人士难以进入医学图书馆。
   2. It is not just a textbook for professional diplomats. The lay reader will enjoy the anecdotes.
      它不仅仅是职业外交家的教科书，里面的轶事趣闻外行的读者也会喜欢。

1. She walked across the floor and lay down on the bed
   她走过地板躺在了床上。
2. A bra and a pair of briefs lay on the floor.
   地板上有一个胸罩和一条短内裤。
3. She lay deathly still.
   她像死了一样一动不动地躺在那里。
4. He came back because he believed his future lay with her.
   他回来是因为他相信自己的未来是和她在一起。
5. Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor
   在地上铺一张报纸。
6. My father's working bench was covered with a cloth and his coffin was laid there
   爸爸的工作台上盖了一块布，他的灵枢就陈放在那儿。
7. Mothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep.
   母亲们一般让婴儿平躺着睡。
8. The butler always laid the table.
   每次都是男管家把餐具摆好。
9. A man came to lay the saloon carpet
   一名男子来铺客厅的地毯。
10. Public utilities dig up roads to lay pipes.
    公共事业公司挖路铺设管道。
11. They were laying a trap for the kidnapper.
    他们设下一个圈套引绑匪上钩。
12. My canary has laid an egg
    我的金丝雀生了一个蛋。
13. Freezing weather in spring hampered the hens 'ability to lay.
    春天严寒的天气降低了母鸡的产蛋能力。
14. Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations
    在智利会面的外交官们已经为那些对未来影响深远的环境保护条例的制定打好了基础。
15. The organisers meet in March to lay plans.
    组织者们于3月碰头制订计划。
16. She refused to lay the blame on any one party
    她拒绝归咎于任何一方。
17. He could not bear to lay too much responsibility for the unhappiness of his later years on his own shoulders
    为自己晚景凄凉承担这么多责任，他接受不了。
18. Police have decided not to lay charges over allegations of a telephone tapping operation.
    警方决定不就涉嫌窃听电话一事提出起诉。
19. I wouldn't lay bets on his still remaining manager after the spring
    我看他的这个经理当不到春天之后了。
20. I'll lay odds that Dean is at your office right now.
    我敢打赌迪安现在就在你办公室。
21. Don't lay it on too thick, but make sure they are flattered
    不要吹捧得太露骨，不过一定要恭维得他们很惬意。
22. I may have spoken a bit too freely, been a bit extreme, even laid it on a little.
    我可能有些自由发挥，有些极端，甚至有些言过其实了。
23. The party thereby lays itself open to charges of conflict of interest
    该党因此难免被人指责有利益冲突。
24. Such a statement could lay her open to ridicule.
    这种言论会让人家笑话她。
25. Edwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.
    爱德华是一位循道宗在俗传教士兼社会工作者。
26. It is difficult for a lay person to gain access to medical libraries
    非业内人士难以进入医学图书馆。
27. It is not just a textbook for professional diplomats. The lay reader will enjoy the anecdotes.
    它不仅仅是职业外交家的教科书，里面的轶事趣闻外行的读者也会喜欢。
28. She lay down on the soft, comfortable bed
    她在柔软而舒适的床上躺了下来。
29. He lay in the darkness, pretending to sleep.
    他躺在黑暗中，假装睡觉。
30. In the guard's van lay my tin trunk.
    我的铁皮箱放在了卫兵的行李车厢中。

lay about sb (with sth)

1. 袭击（或猛打）某人
   to attack sb violently

lay about you/yourself (with sth)

1. 乱打；（向四面）拳打脚踢，猛打
   to hit sb/sth without control or move your arms or legs violently in all directions
   1. to lay a carpet/cable/pipe
      铺地毯；铺设电缆；铺管道
   2. The foundations of the house are being laid today.
      今天正在给房子打地基。
   3. They had laid the groundwork for future development.
      他们为此后的发展奠定了基础。

lay sth↔aside

1. 把…放在一边（或搁置一旁）
   to put sth on one side and not use it or think about it
2. 留存备用；留待以后处理
   to keep sth to use, or deal with later
   1. The cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds' nests.
      杜鹃在其他鸟的巢中产蛋。
   2. new-laid eggs
      鲜蛋
   3. The hens are not laying well (= not producing many eggs) .
      母鸡现在不爱下蛋。

lay sth↔down

1. 放下；停止使用
   to put sth down or stop using it
   1. to lay the table
      摆好餐具准备用餐
2. 中断（工作）；辞（职）；放弃
   to stop doing a job, etc.
3. 规定，制定（条例或原则）
   if you lay down a rule or a principle, you state officially that people must obey it or use it
   1. The bill was laid before Parliament.
      议案已提交议会审议。
4. 积存某物
   to produce sth that is stored and gradually increases

lay sth↔in/up

1. 贮备；贮存
   to collect and store sth to use in the future

lay into sb/sth

1. 猛打；痛打；责骂；抨击
   to attack sb violently with blows or words

lay off

lay off sb/sth

1. （让人停止做某事）停止，别再打扰
   used to tell sb to stop doing sth
   1. He went out hoping to get laid that night.
      他那天晚上外出希望找个女人睡一宿。

lay off sth

1. 停止使用
   to stop using sth

lay sb↔off

1. （因工作不多而）解雇
   to stop employing sb because there is not enough work for them to do
   1. to lay a bet
      下赌注
   2. She had laid $100 on the favourite.
      她在那匹特别喜爱的马上下注100元。
   3. I'll lay you any money you like (that) he won't come.
      我看他不来了，你愿意赌多少钱我都奉陪。

lay sth↔on

1. 提供（尤指食物或娱乐）
   to provide sth for sb, especially food or entertainment
   1. His book explains the theory for the lay public.
      他的书为大众阐明了这个理论。

lay sth on sb

1. 使不得不处理（讨厌或困难的事）
   to make sb have to deal with sth unpleasant or difficult

lay sb↔out

1. 把…打昏
   to knock sb unconscious
2. （给死者）作殡葬准备
   to prepare a dead body to be buried

lay sth↔out

1. 铺开；摆开；展开
   to spread sth out so that it can be seen easily or is ready to use
2. 布置；策划；安排；设计
   to plan how sth should look and arrange it in this way
3. 清晰谨慎地提出，策划（计划、论点等）
   to present a plan, an argument, etc. clearly and carefully
4. 花钱
   to spend money

lay over (at/in…)

1. （长途旅行期间）作短暂停留
   to stay somewhere for a short time during a long journey

lay sb up

1. （因病或受伤而）卧床歇工
   if sb is laid up , they are unable to work, etc. because of an illness or injury

lay sth ↔ up

lay sth ↔ up

1. 自找（麻烦）；自讨（苦吃）
   if you lay up problems or trouble for yourself, you do sth that will cause you problems later
2. （船或其他交通工具维修时）停止使用，搁置不用
   to stop using a ship or other vehicle while it is being repaired

v.

n.

the lay of the land

the lay of the land

noun

1. a narrative poem of popular origin

   Synonym:    ballad

2. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

   Synonym:    ballad

verb

1. put into a certain place or abstract location
   1. Put your things here
   2. Set the tray down
   3. Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
   4. Place emphasis on a certain point

   Synonym:    putsetplaceposeposition

2. put in a horizontal position
   1. lay the books on the table
   2. lay the patient carefully onto the bed

   Synonym:    put downrepose

3. lay eggs
   1. This hen doesn't lay

4. prepare or position for action or operation
   1. lay a fire
   2. lay the foundation for a new health care plan

5. impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
   1. lay a responsibility on someone

adj

1. not of or from a profession
   1. a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease

2. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
   1. set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
   2. the lay ministry

   Synonym:    laicsecular