(usually Passive): I’ve been laid up since Christmas with a bad cough. put someone up—provide food and lodging for a person: I can put up two adults, but no children. lay something down • put something down lay something down—1. (of laws, conditions, etc.) state or declare firmly: We had to lay down rules for the behavior of the members. 2. (of money) bet on smth.: How much are you prepared to lay down on that horse? 3. start to build smth.: We shall have to lay down a new floor in the upstairs rooms. 4. (also: lay something by) store smth. for the future: When his grandson was born, the lord laid down a case of best wine for the boy’s 21st birthday. 5. mark smth. on a plan or map: He now laid down clearly the island groups of the North Pacific. put something down—1. (of a plane) cause to land: The pilot was able to put the damaged plane down safely in the field. 2. (coll., also: put something away) eat a lot of food: You’d be surprised at the amount that boy can put down in a single day. 3. cease doing smth. such as work: Put down whatever you are doing and join the party. 4. record smth. in writing: Make sure that you put down every word she says. 5. (of money) give in part payment: You can buy this house by put - ting 1 0 percent down and paying the rest over twenty-five years. 6. = lay something down 4: I have put down over 100 eggs this winter, so as to have plenty at the cheap price. 7. (UK) kill an animal out of mercy: The dear old dog got so ill that it was kinder to have him put down . 8. suppress or stop smth.: The police are attempting to put down violent crime in the city. 9. (coll.) express disapproval or a poor opinion of smth.: Tom’s latest book has been severely put down in the newspaper reports. lay something off • put something off lay something off—1. spread smth. such as money more widely to insure against a loss: The large insurance contract was laid off among many firms. 2. (of a ship) anchor near a certain location: The ship was laid off outside the harbor while the storm lasted. 3. stop wearing smth.: It’s time we were able to lay off these heavy winter clothes. put something off—1. (also: put something over) postpone smth.; leave smth. to a later date: Don’t put off making the arrangements until the last minute. 2. = lay something off 3: The war was over but Harold was still in khaki; he never looked so nearly a gentleman again when he put it off . 3. dis- connect electricity: Please put off all the lights as you leave the building. 4. get rid of smth.; cease to consider smth.: It’s good to have put off the responsibility of the chairmanship. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase put something away1. put smth. in the usual place of storage (such as a drawer, box, etc.): Please put your toys away before you go to bed. 2. (coll., also: put something down) eat a lot of food: You’d be surprised at the amount that boy can put away in a single day. 3. (of money or a supply of goods) save for future use: I have a little money put away for a rainy day. 4. = put something off 4: It’s time to put away those foolish ideas and become serious. lay something on • put something on lay something on—1. supply (a house) with gas, electricity, etc.: The house has water and electricity laid on . 2. (coll.) deliver or provide smth.: The club laid on a special meal for the visitors. 3. impose smth. such as a duty: Further taxes may be laid on this spring. put something on—1. dress oneself in clothing: He put his coat on hurriedly and ran out of the house. 2. make a light or fire start burning: I’ll go in and put the fire on while you put the car in the garage. 3. (of a meal) start cooking: Phone me as soon as you leave the office and I’ll put the dinner on . 4. (of weight, speed, etc.) gain: If I put on another inch, I shan’t be able to wear this dress. 5. add smth.: British rail will put on an additional train to carry the expected crowd of football supporters. 6. (of a show) stage; cause to take place: Which play is the Theater Group putting on next? lay something on the table (UK) • lay something on the table (U.S.) lay something on the table (UK)—raise an issue for consid- eration (as a parliamentary procedure): A few days later Shrewsbury laid on the table of the Lords a bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments. lay something on the table (U.S.)—suspend an issue from consideration; postpone the vote on an issue until another time: It was her proposal to lay the bill on the table while we undertook further research. lay something out • put something out lay something out—1. spread smth. (for use or view): All the family’s pitiful possessions were laid out in the yard. 2. arrange the plan or appearance of a garden, etc.: Laying out the page well makes all the difference to the ease of reading a book. 3. (of one’s money, strength, etc.) use; spend: I had to lay out all my strength to move the rock. 4. make a fire start burning: He was still turned away from me, intent on his task of laying out the fire. put something out—1. place smth. out of doors: If it turns fine, I shall put the washing out . 2. = lay something out 1: Please put out my best suit for the governor’s meeting. 3. (of a plant) send out new growth: We thought the bush was dead, but it has already put out some new branches. 4. = lay something out 3: Putting out all his strength, he uprooted the tree. 5. produce smth.: This engine puts out more electric current than the other one. 6. make smth. public: The police have put out a description of the jewel thieves. 7. make a light or fire stop burning: Put out all fires before leaving the camping ground. 8. (of a joint) dislocate: I can’t play tennis with you this week, I’ve put my shoulder out . lay something over • put something over lay something over—(often Passive) 1. postpone smth.; leave smth. to a later date: The concert had to be laid over for several days. 2. (also: overlay something) put a coating over the surface of smth.; ornament smth.: The cover of the book was laid over with gold and silver. put something over—1. make an idea, etc. understood and well received: Advertisements are intended to put over the best qualities of the product to the public. 2. (also: put some- thing off ) = lay something over 1: We shall have to put the gar - den party over until the weather is fine. lay something to • put something to lay something to —(of a ship) anchor near a certain location: Till the next morning, she was laid to , under a close reefed main top sail. put something to—close smth. firmly: Please put the door to , it’s come open a little. lay something up • put something up lay something up1. (also: lay something by) save or store smth. for future use: The power stations are laying up their usual supplies of coal. 2. (of a car, boat, etc.) take out of use (for repairs, etc.): At the end of the season, all the boats are formally laid up in the harbor. put something up—1. build smth.; place smth. in position: You have to put up a fence one foot away from the property line. 2. show smth. such as a notice in a public place: The examination results will be put up on this board tomorrow. 3. (of cost, taxes, etc.) increase or raise: These rents are fixed – 213 – lay something up