5 English Phrasal Verbs with LAY-

5 English Phrasal Verbs with LAY--
1. LAY DOWN--
to lay down (something) means to clearly state a rule or something important.
EXAMPLE: -My boss laid down new guidelines at work today.
-The teacher is laying down some serious new rules in class.
This is closely connected with the expression: TO LAY DOWN THE LAW which means to tell someone firmly what they cannot do (what they’re not allowed to do).
EXAMPLE: -My boss was laying down the law at work today.
-The new teacher really laid down the law, she does not want students misbehaving.
to lay down (something) also means to stop using something
EXAMPLE: -After painting all day, I finally laid down my brushes and had dinner.
2. LAY INTO--
to lay into someone means to criticize someone harshly, or to attack them.
EXAMPLE: -Some of the staff broke the new office rules so our boss really laid into them.
-The teacher was laying into the students when I arrived late to class. She sounded very angry.
This is an example of a phrasal verb that is inseparable, which means you cannot separate the main verb and the particle. The object must follow the particle, otherwise it sounds and is incorrect.
3. LAY OFF--
to lay (someone) off means to stop employing someone, or to let them go, usually because there is not enough work or money in a company/business.
EXAMPLE: -After the budget cuts, the company had to lay 100 people off.
-After the budget cuts, 100 people had to be laid off
*Notice the difference in the active sentence and the passive sentences here
This phrasal verb is an example of a phrasal verb that is separable, which means you can put the object in between the main verb and the particle.
*Another important note about the verb “to lay off” is that it’s very different than the verb “to fire” To fire someone means to no longer employ them, but because of something they did wrong. When someone is laid off, it’s often out of their control and not because of their actions.
to lay off (something) means to stop using something. ((This example is inseparable, so don’t put the object in the middle of the verb and particle))
EXAMPLE: -I have been eating so much chocolate, I really need to lay off it!
-I think John drinks too much soda. He should lay off Pepsi and Coke for a while.
“Lay off!” as an interjection or imperative (command) is used to tell someone to stop bothering you. So when your little brother is being annoying, you can tell him: “Lay off!” or “Lay off me!”
4. LAY OVER--
to lay over means to make a stop in the middle of the journey, usually at an airport during a flight
EXAMPLE: -My trip laid over in Miami on my way to Brazil
*Note that the noun “layover” also exists, which is the stop in between a journey (EXAMPLE: I had a layover in Miami). Both the verb and the noun are widely used.
to lay (someone) over means to cause someone to stop in the middle of the journey. This one is most often used passively (be + laid + over) without the “by + agent”.
EXAMPLE: -I was laid over in Miami on my way to Brazil.
-I try never to fly HocusPocus Airlines, because I am always laid over during their flights for the longest time!
5. LAY UP--
to lay (someone) up or to lay up (someone) means to cause someone to stay at home because of being ill or an injury. (*this is also used passively most often)
EXAMPLE: -My surgery last year really laid me up (ACTIVE) or – I was laid up by my surgery last year and stayed in bed for 6 weeks. (PASSIVE)
-The flu lays people
plupeles up every year, especially during the winter months.
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