lie before (someone or something)
lie before (someone or something)
1. To physically exist in front or ahead of someone or something. As we trudged through the desert, it looked as though a magnificent oasis lay before us, but it was just a mirage, some accursed trick of the sun. Some worrisome footprints lie before our front door—I hope we've not been burgled!
2. To be or exist in the future of someone or something. One should never presume to know what may lie before them, as life is far often more fickle than that.
See also: before, lie
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
lay something before someone
1. Lit. to present something to someone. The cat laid the mouse before her mistress. Dave laid the present before her as a peace offering.
2. Fig. to present something for someone to judge. All you can do is lay the matter before the teacher and hope for a favorable response. I want to lay this before you and let you decide.
See also: before, lay
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- lie ahead of
- lie ahead of (someone or something)
- suck (someone or something) into (something)
- suck into
- tear loose from (someone or something)
- grapple
- grappling
- brace (oneself) for (something)
- brace oneself for
- eighth