lay down

L

lay down (phrasal verb)
/leɪ daʊn/

Variants

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

Meaning

• To establish or state a rule, principle, or condition firmly.
• To give up one’s life, especially for a cause.
• To surrender, especially in the context of weapons.
• To place a foundation or apply a new layer of something, such as paint or concrete.
• To record or commit something to writing or to a recording device.
• To set something down or place it in a resting position (literal meaning).

Synonyms: establish; state; formulate; enact; stipulate; give up; surrender; relinquish; yield; sacrifice; record; compose.

Example Sentences

1. The company laid down new regulations for employee conduct.
2. The rebels were told to lay down their arms or face the consequences.
3. The principal had to lay down the law to stop the student from misbehaving.
4. He was prepared to lay down his life to protect his family.
5. The band went into the studio to lay down the tracks for their new album.
6. They will lay down a new layer of asphalt on the road tomorrow.
7. He had to lay down his tools before he could get on the bus.

Origin and History

The expression “lay down” originated as a simple phrase describing the physical act of placing an object in a lower position. It combines the verb “lay,” meaning “to put or place,” with the adverb “down,” which indicates a movement toward a lower position. In its earliest use, the phrase was strictly literal.

Historical Roots

The phrase has deep linguistic roots in Old English and is connected to a wider Germanic linguistic heritage. The Old English form of “lay” is related to similar words in other Germanic languages that also convey the act of placing something to rest. The combination of “lay” with “down” appeared in written English early on and kept its literal meaning for a long time before developing more figurative senses.

Earliest Recorded Examples

The phrase “lay down” can be found in Middle English texts from the 13th and 14th centuries. Surviving manuscripts and early printed works, including religious and poetic writings, contain examples like “Lay down thy head” and “Lay down thy cross.” These early examples show that the phrase was already a common part of the language in medieval England.

Developing New Meanings

Over time, the phrase moved beyond its literal meaning to take on several figurative senses. These include:

• Surrender: as in “lay down arms”
• Establish a rule: as in “lay down a rule”
• State something decisively: as in “lay down a condition”
• Sacrifice: as in “lay down one’s life”

This development is a common pattern in language, where concrete physical actions provide the basis for more abstract ideas.

Notable Figurative Use: “Lay Down One’s Life”

One of the most powerful and well-known figurative uses is “to lay down one’s life,” which means to willingly sacrifice your life for a person, cause, or principle. This specific sense of the phrase appeared in early English translations of religious texts, which greatly increased its importance in the culture and literature of the time.

Idiomatic Offshoot: “Lay Down the Law”

The idiom “lay down the law” grew out of the connection between the act of “laying down” and the formal establishment of rules. It links the physical act of placing something firmly in position with the idea of creating a fixed and authoritative rule or principle.

Country of Origin

The phrase originated in England, as shown by its presence in Old and Middle English sources. While its individual words have roots in other Germanic languages, the specific combination “lay down” and its figurative meanings developed within England.

Down, Phrasal Verbs