lay (someone or something) before (someone or something)
lay (someone or something) before (someone or something)
1. old-fashioned To set or place someone or something down before someone or something else. In both usages, the object of "lay" is sometimes placed in other parts of the sentence. Please lay the child before the fire. We don't want her to come down with hypothermia. She laid before the altar a garland of roses.
2. old-fashioned To present some topic, issue, case, etc., to someone or some group. The minister lays before parliament a most interesting issue. You must be absolutely certain of the fact before you lay this case before the high court.
See also: before, lay
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.
- borak
- be/have done with somebody/something
- be in line with (someone or something)
- better of
- (someone or something) promises well
- begin with
- begin with (someone or something)
- bird has flown, the
- beware of
- beware of (someone or something)