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lay down meaning and examples

2025-09-20

Meaning

  • Lay down is a phrasal verb with several meanings depending on context:

    1. To put something on a surface carefully.
    2. To establish rules, laws, or principles.
    3. To sacrifice or give up (often used with "life" or "arms").
    4. To record a music track (informal).

Grammar and Usage

  • Verb type: Transitive phrasal verb (requires an object in most uses).

  • Patterns:

    • lay down + object: "She laid down her bag."
    • lay down + rules/laws: "The teacher laid down the rules."
    • lay down + one’s life/arms: "The soldier laid down his life."
    • lay down + a track: "The band laid down a new song."

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse with lie down (to recline).

Common Phrases

  • lay down the law
  • lay down the rules
  • lay down one’s life
  • lay down arms
  • lay down a track

Collocations

  • Nouns with lay down: rules, law, foundation, conditions, weapons, life, track.
  • Adverbs: firmly lay down, clearly lay down.

Examples

  1. He laid down the book on the table.
  2. The government laid down strict guidelines for safety.
  3. She laid down her life to save others.
  4. The rebels agreed to lay down their arms.
  5. The band went to the studio to lay down a new album.
  6. The teacher laid down the law about homework deadlines.
  7. The workers laid down the foundation for the building.
  8. He laid down conditions before signing the contract.
  • put down
  • establish
  • set
  • impose
  • give up
  • sacrifice

Antonym

  • pick up
  • ignore
  • disobey
  • resist