To lay about, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To strike on all sides; to fight vigorously.
To lay at, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To attempt to strike; to aim a blow.
To lay by the heels, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To put in prison or the stocks: see Heels.
To lay down, verb. phr. (thieves').—To play cards.
To lay down one's knife and fork, verb. phr. (common).—To die; to go aloft (q.v.); to hop the twig (q.v.).
1888. All the Year Round, 9 June, p. 543. To 'hop the twig', to 'peg out', to lay down one's knife and fork, & the like [phrases for dying], are more flippant than humorous.
To lay a duck's egg, verb. phr. (common).—See Duck's Egg and Crocketts.
To lay in, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To attack with vigor.
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, VII. The eggs and bacon, my word! how Jim did lay in.
To lay in one's dish, verb. phr. (old).—To object a thing to a person; to make an accusation against him.
1615. Sir John Harrington, Epigrams, i. 27. Last night you lay it, madam, in our dish, How that a maid of ours (whom we must check) Had broke your bitches leg.
1663. Butler, Hudibras, I. iii. 209. Think'st thou 'twill not be laid i' th' dish, Thou turn'dst thy back? quoth Echo, pish.
To lay into, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To thrash.
1838. D. Jerrold, Men of Character, xiii. I shall be very happy . . . to go and hold the door while you lay into the ruffian.
To lay it on (and superlatively, to lay it on thick) verb. phr. (colloquial).—To exceed—in speech, splendour, expense, charges, praise, etc.; to embroider (q.v.).
1560. Nice Wanton [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), ii. 167]. When they come home, Your mistress-ship would have me lay on.
1609-10. Shakspeare, Tempest, iii. 2. I would I could see this taborer: he lays it on.
1611. Shakspeare, Winter's Tale, iv. 3. I cannot do 't without counters. Let me see; what am I to do for our sheep-shearing feast? Three pounds of sugar; five pounds of currants;—rice—What will this sister of mine do with rice? But my father hath made her mistress of the feast, and she lays it on.
1821. Combe, Syntax, Wife, c. 1. That in the pulpit you're a rare one, And lay it on, and never spare one.
1832-53. Whistle-Binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. II. 68. He could lay on the cadge better than ony walleteer.
1891. Tit Bits, 15 Aug., p. 296, col. 1. Mr. Draper is compelled to lay it on thick.
To lay off, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To give over.
1888. Detroit Free Press, 20 Oct. Then the Governor of Michigan had to embarrass me by proclaiming a state holiday of some brand or other, and my hired man said he guessed he'd have to lay off that day.
To lay oneself forth (or out), verb. phr. (colloquial).—To exert oneself rigorously and earnestly.
To lay oneself open, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To expose oneself.
To lay oneself out for, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be ready and willing to take part in anything.
To lay out, verb. phr. (colloquial).—1. To get the better of;
