Meaning

  1. To put something in a flat position so it rests flat.
  2. To establish rules, laws, or principles.
  3. To willingly give something up, especially life, for a cause.
  4. To create or record a track or performance.

Today's Sentences

01

If I lay down, I might fall asleep.

Situation

This one looks comfy.
Test it out!

Sure.
But if I lay down, I might fall asleep right here.

Don’t worry, that’s how you know it’s good!

If I end up napping in the store, it’s coming home with us.

02

Measure and cut tiles to fit before you lay them down.

Situation

Do we just keep going row by row?

Exactly, lay each tile down and press it firmly so it sticks well.

And what about the edges?

You’ll need to measure and cut tiles to fit before you lay them down.
Once everything’s set, we grout the spaces.

Writer's Note

"Lay down" is a transitive, inseparable and separable phrasal verb. Let’s look at the details together.

  1. Transitive - A transitive phrasal verb is a phrasal verb that requires an object (a noun or pronoun) to complete its meaning.
    Structure: "Subject + lay + object + down"
    Example 1: He laid the book down on the table.
    Example 2: She gently laid the baby down in the crib.
    Example 3: They laid the carpet down in the living room.
  2. Inseparable - When the particle and verb are placed together.
    Structure: "Subject + lay down + object"
    Example 1: The government laid down regulations for safety.
    Example 2: The teacher laid down the rules on the first day of class.
    Example 3: The contract lays down conditions for both sides.
  3. Separable - When an object is placed between the particle and the verb.
    Structure: "Subject + lay + object + down"
    Example 1: The workers laid the bricks down carefully to form the path.
    Example 2: He laid his cards down on the table during the game.
    Example 3: She laid the blanket down on the grass for the picnic.

Related words: Abandon, abandon, cut, decree, deposit, dictate, drop, establish, forfeit, impose, ordain, place, prescribe, produce, put, record, relinquish, sacrifice, set, set out, stipulate, surrender, track, yield

Elephant in the room

Elephant in the room

An "elephant in the room" means an obvious problem that everybody knows about but no one wants to talk about. It's often a controversial problem or a major issue. The "elephant…
August 13, 2024 Read More
Rose Colored Glasses

Rose Colored Glasses

When someone sees through "Rose colored glasses", it means to see only the pleasant things about a situation and not notice the things that are unpleasant.
October 20, 2024 Read More
Get by

Get by

To "get by" means to manage or survive, often with limited resources, ability, or effort. It can also mean to do something adequately enough to cope, or to physically move…
October 21, 2025 Read More

Leave a Reply


0:00
0:00