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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  • 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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