lay of the land

lay of the land
the lay of the land
1. Lit. the arrangement of features on an area of land. (Also with

lie

, especially British English.) •

The surveyor mapped the lay of the land.

•

The geologist studied the lay of the land, trying to determine if there was oil below.

2. Fig. the arrangement or organization of something other than land. •

As soon as I get the lay of the land in my new job, things will go better.

•

The company's corporate structure was complex, so understanding the lay of the land took time.

* * *
also[how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./ 2. The way something is arranged; the important facts about something; how things are. * /The banker wanted to check the lay of the land before buying the stock./ * /Before the new boy will join our club, he wants to see how the land lies./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lay of the land — the disposition of circumstances which one is considering wanted to know more about the lay of the land before investing * * * the general state or condition of affairs under consideration; the facts of a situation: We asked a few questions to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lay of the land — also[how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./ 2. The way something is arranged; the important facts… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lay\ of\ the\ land — • lay of the land • how the land lies n. phr. 1. the natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land. 2. the way something is arranged; the important… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lay of the land — The lay of the land is the way something is organised, runs, is arranged, etc. ( The lie of the land is also used.) …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • lay of the land — the general state or condition of affairs under consideration; the facts of a situation: We asked a few questions to get the lay of the land. Also, esp. Brit., lie of the land. * * * …   Universalium

  • lay of the land — n. 1. the arrangement of the natural features of an area 2. the existing state or disposition of affairs …   English World dictionary

  • lay of the land — See get the lay of the land …   English idioms

  • the lay of the land — Lay Lay, n. 1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. Addison. [1913 Webster] A viol should have a lay of wire strings below. Bacon.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • the lay of the land — the lay (Brit. lie) of the land the way in which the features or characteristics of an area present themselves ■ figurative the current situation or state of affairs she was beginning to see the lay of the land with her in laws * * * the lay of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • (the) lay of the land — the lay of the land american phrase the lie of the land Thesaurus: general words for situations and circumstancessynonym views and landscapessynonym difficult situations and experiencessynonym Main entry …   Useful english dictionary

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