lay claim to something

lay claim to (something)

To assert that one has the legal or proper right to own or possess something. If no one lays claim to the wallet within 48 hours, you'll be able to keep it for yourself. The youngest son is laying claim to the business now that their father has passed away.
See also: claim, lay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lay ˈclaim to something

state that you have a right to something: ‘The Lamb and Flag’ lays claim to being the oldest pub in London.
See also: claim, lay, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (one) could use (something)
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • cooking for one
  • 1FTR
References in periodicals archive
The kinds of people who marched in Charlottesville and said "Jews will not replace us" are basing their vision of America on a path where white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant men alone created the American nation, and where people such as Jews were outsiders who came later and are somehow trying to lay claim to something that rightfully belongs to other people.
Was Alexander Hamilton Jewish?
Well not quite but Upper Lambourn trainer Ian Wood can lay claim to something even top jumps trainers and regular visitors to the Welsh track Nicky Henderson and Jonjo O'Neill cannot.
Travellingm anW oodh asA yri n mindw ith KyleakinL ass
"We may have to accept that the UK no longer holds the purse strings of many global industries, as it did in the past-but I think we can lay claim to something even stronger, we are the most innovative, diverse and enthusiastic country on earth when it comes to manufacturing and engineering."
'Together we can make a difference'. (Newsdesk)