| 释义 |
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: lay off vb - (tr, adverb) to suspend (workers) from employment with the intention of re-employing them at a later date: the firm had to lay off 100 men
- (intransitive) informal to leave (a person, thing, or activity) alone: lay off me, will you!
- (tr, adverb) to mark off the boundaries of
n lay-off - the act of suspending employees
- a period of imposed unemployment
lay1 /leɪ/USA pronunciation v., laid, lay•ing, n. v. - to put or place in a position that is flat;
set down:[~ + object]to lay a book on a desk. - to knock or beat down:[~ + object]One punch laid him low.
- to put or place in a particular position:[~ + object]The dog laid its ears back.
- to cause to be in a particular state or condition:[~ + object]Their motives were laid bare.
- to set, place, or apply:[~ + object]Don't you lay a hand on her.
- to place in proper position or in an orderly fashion:[~ + object]to lay bricks.
- to establish as a basis;
set up:[~ + object]These talks will lay the foundation for further negotiations. - to submit for someone's consideration:[~ + object]I laid my case before the commission.
- to charge someone as being responsible for (something):[~ + object (+ on + object)]to lay the blame on the inspector.
- to bury:[~ + object]They laid him to rest in the old churchyard.
- Zoologyto bring forth and deposit (an egg or eggs): [~ + object]The hens laid an egg every day.[no object]The hens weren't laying.
- to impose as a burden, duty, penalty, or the like:[~ + object]voted to lay an embargo on oil shipments.
- [~ + object] to place food, plates, knives, forks, spoons, etc., on (a table);
set. - to devise or arrange:[~ + object]They laid their plans carefully.
- to bet (money);
stake:[~ + object (+ on)]He laid $10 on the horse. - to bet (someone):[~ + object + object]I'll lay you ten to one that we win.
- to place, set, or locate:[~ + object]The scene is laid in France.
- Slang Terms[~ + object]to have sexual intercourse with.
- Slang Terms[Nonstandard.]lie2:[no object]just laying around the house.
- lay aside:
- to abandon* reject: [~ + aside + object]They laid aside his plan.[~ + object + aside]They laid it aside.
- to save for use at a later time;
store: [~ + aside + object]She had laid aside some money.[~ + object + aside]How had she laid it aside?
- lay away:
- to reserve for later use;
save: [~ + object + away]She laid the money away.[~ + away + object]She had laid away a fair amount of money. - [~ + away + object] to hold merchandise until final payment or request for delivery:to lay away a winter coat.
- lay back, [no object][Slang.]to relax.
- lay down, [~ + down + object]
- to give up:The troopers laid down their guns.
- to state authoritatively:Their parents finally laid down the rules.
- to stock;
store:to lay down wine.
- lay for, [~ + for + object] to lie in wait for:The cops are laying for the thief.
- lay in, [~ + in + object] to store away for future use:to lay in a supply of food.
- Informal Terms lay into, [~ + into + object] to attack physically or with words.
- lay off:
- to dismiss (an employee), often temporarily: [~ + object + off]The boss laid him off after only a few days.[~ + off + object]The company laid off hundreds of workers.
- [Slang.]to stop annoying or teasing: [~ + off + object]I told you to just lay off your brother.[no object]Just lay off, leave me alone!
- [no object][Informal.]to stop work:Let's lay off early.
- [~ + off + object] to stop or stop using:to lay off drinking.
- lay on, [~ + on + object]
- to cover with;
apply:to lay on a coat of wax.
- lay open:
- to cut open: [~ + open + object]The surgeon laid open the area of the infection.[~ + object + open]She laid it open and began to operate.
- to expose;
reveal: [~ + open + object]The news story laid open a whole new set of allegations against him.[~ + object + open]The news story laid it all open. - [~ + object + open] to expose (someone) to criticism, blame, or suspicion:This new charge lays him open to a criminal indictment.
- lay out:
- to spread out in order;
arrange;
prepare: [~ + out + object]She laid out her pens and paper and set to work.[~ + object + out]She laid them out and set to work. - to plan;
plot;
design;
to make a layout of: [~ + out + object]She laid out the design on paper.[~ + object + out]Lay it out on paper first. - to ready (a corpse) for burial: [~ + object + out]The undertaker laid the body out.[~ + out + object]The undertaker laid out the body.
- [~ + out + object][Informal.]to spend or contribute (money):He laid out $50 for each ticket.
- [~ + object + out][Slang.]to knock (someone) down or unconscious:laid him out with one punch.
- lay over, [no object] to make a short stopover:The plane laid over in Albany.
- lay up, to cause to be kept in one's bed or indoors: [~ + object + up]was laid up with the flu.[~ + up + object]This flu has laid up the entire crew.
n. [countable] - the way or position in which a thing is laid or lies:the lay of the south pasture.
- Slang Terms(vulgar ).
- a partner in sexual intercourse.
- an instance of sexual intercourse.
Idioms- Slang Terms, Idioms get laid, Slang (vulgar ). to have sexual intercourse.
- Idioms lay it on (thick), to flatter someone or boast extravagantly;
exaggerate. - lay of the land, [the + ~] the conditions, circumstances, or situation:Let's get the lay of the land before proceeding.
For many speakers, the verbs lay, lie2 and lie1 are confused. lay and lie2 are confused because both have the sense of "in a flat position.'' The verb lay in most of its meanings takes an object, and a general rule to remember is that if the word "put, place,'' can be substituted in a sentence, then lay is the verb to use:Lay (= put, place) the books on the table.She laid (= put, placed) the baby in the cradle.But the verb lie2 does not take an object:Lie down and rest a moment.The baby is lying down.For many speakers, the problem comes in the past tense for these two verbs, because the past tense of lie2 is lay, which looks like, but is not, the present form of lay:The dog will want to lie in the shade; yesterday he lay in the grass.Note that we can lay something, as a baby, down on a bed; the baby will then lie there until we pick it up. Finally, the verb lie1 meaning "to tell a lie or make a false statement'' is regular: its past tense is lied. lay2 /leɪ/USA pronunciation v. - pt. of lie2.
lay3 /leɪ/USA pronunciation adj. [before a noun]- belonging to, involving, or performed by someone not a member of the clergy:a lay sermon.
- not belonging to or proceeding from a profession, esp. the law or medicine:a lay opinion.
lay4 /leɪ/USA pronunciation n. [countable]- Literaturea short narrative or other poem.
- Music and Dancea song.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024lay1 (lā),USA pronunciation v., laid, lay•ing, n. v.t. - to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest;
set down:to lay a book on a desk. - to knock or beat down, as from an erect position;
strike or throw to the ground:One punch laid him low. - to put or place in a particular position:The dog laid its ears back.
- to cause to be in a particular state or condition:Their motives were laid bare.
- to set, place, or apply (often fol. by to or on):to lay hands on a child.
- to dispose or place in proper position or in an orderly fashion:to lay bricks.
- to place on, along, or under a surface:to lay a pipeline.
- to establish as a basis;
set up:to lay the foundations for further negotiations. - to present or submit for notice or consideration:I laid my case before the commission.
- to present, bring forward, or make, as a claim or charge.
- to impute, attribute, or ascribe:to lay blame on the inspector.
- to bury:They laid him in the old churchyard.
- Zoologyto bring forth and deposit (an egg or eggs).
- to impose as a burden, duty, penalty, or the like:to lay an embargo on oil shipments.
- to place dinner service on (a table);
set. - to place on or over a surface, as paint;
cover or spread with something else. - to devise or arrange, as a plan.
- to deposit as a wager;
bet:He laid $10 on the horse. - to set (a trap).
- to place, set, or locate:The scene is laid in France.
- to smooth down or make even:to lay the nap of cloth.
- to cause to subside:laying the clouds of dust with a spray of water.
- Slang Termsto have sexual intercourse with.
- to bring (a stick, lash, etc.) down, as on a person, in inflicting punishment.
- to form by twisting strands together, as a rope.
- Nautical, Naval Termsto move or turn (a sailing vessel) into a certain position or direction.
- to aim a cannon in a specified direction at a specified elevation.
- to put (dogs) on a scent.
v.i. - Zoologyto lay eggs.
- to wager or bet.
- to apply oneself vigorously.
- to deal or aim blows vigorously (usually fol. by on, at, about, etc.).
- Slang Terms[Nonstandard.]lie2.
- Dialect Terms[South Midland U.S.]to plan or scheme (often fol. by out).
- Dialect Terms[Midland and Southern U.S.](of the wind) to diminish;
subside:When the wind lays, it'll rain. - Nautical, Naval Termsto take up a specified position, direction, etc.:to lay aloft; to lay close to the wind.
- get laid, Slang (vulgar). to have sexual intercourse.
- Nautical, Naval Terms lay aboard, (formerly, of a fighting ship) to come alongside (another fighting ship) in order to board.
- Idioms lay about one:
- to strike or aim blows in every direction.
- Idiomsto proceed to do;
set about.
- Idioms lay a course:
- , Nautical, Naval Terms[Naut.]to sail in the desired direction without tacking.
- , Nautical, Naval Termsto proceed according to a plan.
- lay aside:
- to abandon;
reject. - to save for use at a later time;
store:to lay aside some money every month.
- lay away:
- to reserve for later use;
save. - to hold merchandise pending final payment or request for delivery:to lay away a winter coat.
- to bury:They laid him away in the tomb.
- lay back, [Slang.]to relax.
- lay by:
- to put away for future use;
store;
save:She had managed to lay by money for college from her earnings as a babysitter. - Naval Terms[Naut.](of a sailing vessel) to come to a standstill;
heave to;
lay to. - Dialect Terms[Midland and Southern U.S.]to tend (a crop) for the last time, leaving it to mature without further cultivation.
- Nautical, Naval Terms lay close, (of a sailing vessel) to sail close to the wind.
- lay down:
- to give up;
yield:to lay down one's arms. - to assert firmly;
state authoritatively:to lay down rigid rules of conduct. - to stock;
store:to lay down wine. - Naval Terms[Shipbuilding.]to draw at full size (the lines of a hull), as on the floor of a mold loft;
lay off;
loft.
- lay for, [Informal.]to wait for in order to attack or surprise;
lie in wait for:The police are laying for him. - lay in, to store away for future use:We laid in a supply of canned goods.
- lay into, [Informal.]to attack physically or verbally;
assail:He laid into the opposition with fiery words. - Idioms lay it on, to exaggerate in one's speech or actions, esp. to engage in exaggerated flattery or reproof:She was glad to be told what a splendid person she was, but they didn't have to lay it on so much.Also, lay it on thick.
- Idioms lay low. See low 1 (defs. 44, 45).
- lay off:
- to dismiss (an employee), esp. temporarily because of slack business.
- [Informal.]to cease or quit:He promised to lay off drinking.
- [Slang.]to stop annoying or teasing:Lay off me, will you?
- [Informal.]to stop work:They laid off at four and went home.
- Dialect Termsto put aside or take off.
- to mark off;
measure;
plot. - [Slang.]to give or hand over;
pass on:They laid off their old sofa on the neighborhood recreation center. - (of a bookmaker) to transfer all or part of (a wager) to other bookmakers in order to be protected against heavy losses.
- Naval Termsto get rid of or transfer (blame, responsibility, etc.):He tried to lay off the guilt for the crime on his son.
- Naval Terms[Naut.]to sail away from.
- Naval Terms[Naut.]to remain stationary at a distance from.
- Naval Terms[Shipbuilding.]See lay 1 (def. 46d).
- lay on:
- to cover with;
apply:to lay on a coat of wax. - to strike blows;
attack violently:When the mob became unruly, the police began to lay on. - Naval Terms[Naut.]to sail toward.
- Naval Terms[Naut.]to row (an oar) with a full stroke.
- [Slang.]to tell, impart, or give to:Let me lay a little good advice on you.
- British Terms[Chiefly Brit. Informal.]to provide as a gift, bonus, or treat;
give;
treat:The owners laid on a Christmas dinner for the employees.
- Idioms lay oneself out, [Informal.]to try one's best;
make a great effort:They laid themselves out to see that the reception would be a success. - lay open:
- to cut open:to lay open an area of tissue with a scalpel.
- to expose;
reveal:Her autobiography lays open shocking facts about her childhood. - to expose or make vulnerable, as to blame, suspicion, or criticism:He was careful not to lay himself open to charges of partiality.
- lay out:
- to extend at length.
- to spread out in order;
arrange;
prepare. - to plan;
plot;
design. - to ready (a corpse) for burial.
- [Informal.]to spend or contribute (money).
- [Slang.]to knock (someone) down or unconscious.
- [Slang.]to scold vehemently;
reprimand:Whenever I come home late from school, my mom really lays me out. - to make a layout of.
- Dialect Terms[Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.]to absent oneself from school or work without permission or justification;
play hooky.
- lay over:
- to be postponed until action may be taken:The vote will have to be laid over until next week.
- to make a stop, as during a trip:We will have to lay over in Lyons on our way to the Riviera.
- Idioms lay siege to. See siege (def. 8).
- lay to:
- Naval Terms[Naut.]to check the motion of (a ship).
- Naval Terms[Naut.]to put (a ship) in a dock or other place of safety.
- to attack vigorously.
- to put forth effort;
apply oneself.
- lay up:
- to put away for future use;
store up. - to cause to be confined to bed or kept indoors;
disable. - Naval Terms[Naut.]to retire (a ship) from active use.
- Naval Terms[Naut.](of a ship) to be retired from active use.
- to construct (a masonry structure):The masons laid the outer walls up in Flemish bond.
- to apply (alternate layers of a material and a binder) to form a bonded material.
n. - the way or position in which a thing is laid or lies:the lay of the land.
- Slang Terms(vulgar).
- a partner in sexual intercourse.
- an instance of sexual intercourse.
- Textiles[Ropemaking.]the quality of a fiber rope characterized by the degree of twist, the angles formed by the strands, and the fibers in the strands.
- ClothingAlso called lay-up, spread. (in the garment industry) multiple layers of fabric upon which a pattern or guide is placed for production-line cutting.
- Textilesbatten3 (defs. 1, 2).
- a share of the profits or the catch of a whaling or fishing voyage, distributed to officers and crew.
- bef. 900; Middle English layen, leggen, Old English lecgan (causative of licgan to lie2); cognate with Dutch leggen, German legen, Old Norse legja, Gothic lagjan
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged deposit. See put.
- 21, 22.See corresponding entry in Unabridged calm, still, quiet.
Lay1 and lie2 are often confused. Lay is most commonly a transitive verb and takes an object. Its forms are regular. If "place'' or "put'' can be substituted in a sentence, a form of lay is called for:Lay the folders on the desk.The mason is laying brick.She laid the baby in the crib.Lay also has many intransitive senses, among them "to lay eggs'' (The hens have stopped laying), and it forms many phrasal verbs, such as lay off "to dismiss (from employment)'' or "to stop annoying or teasing'' and lay over "to make a stop.''Lie, with the overall senses "to be in a horizontal position, recline'' and "to rest, remain, be situated, etc.,'' is intransitive and takes no object. Its forms are irregular; its past tense form is identical with the present tense or infinitive form of lay:Lie down, children.Abandoned cars were lying along the road.The dog lay in the shade and watched the kittens play. The folders have lain on the desk since yesterday.In all but the most careful, formal speech, forms of lay are commonly heard in senses normally associated with lie. In edited written English such uses of lay are rare and are usually considered nonstandard:Lay down, children.The dog laid in the shade.Abandoned cars were laying along the road.The folders have laid on the desk since yesterday. lay2 (lā),USA pronunciation v. - pt. of lie 2.
lay3 (lā),USA pronunciation adj. - belonging to, pertaining to, or performed by the people or laity, as distinguished from the clergy:a lay sermon.
- not belonging to, connected with, or proceeding from a profession, esp. the law or medicine.
- Medieval Latin lāicus laic
- Middle French lai
- Middle English 1300–50
- Literaturea short narrative or other poem, esp. one to be sung.
- Music and Dancea song.
- Celtic; compare Old Irish láed, laíd metrical composition, poem, lay
- Old French, perh.
- Middle English lai 1200–50
- Textiles(on a loom) a movable frame that contains the shuttles, the race plate, and the reed, and that by its oscillating motion beats the filling yarn into place.
- Textilesany movable part of a loom.
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