the lay of the land
noun phrase
US
: the arrangement of the different parts in an area of land : where things are located in a place
She knew the lay of the land from hiking through it daily.
—often used figurativelyIt takes time for new employees to get the lay of the land in this department.
Examples of the lay of the land in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From November 23 through December 23, the best way to get the lay of the land is by railroad.
—
Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Players can snap photos of the landmark using Indy’s camera to earn Adventure Points and learn the lay of the land.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
When put together in a proper means, the belief is that strident business benefits accrue:
(1) Streamlines the workplace by openly establishing the lay of the land.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
The first day of Louder Than Life is a good time to get the lay of the land.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 26 Sep. 2024
Day 1: Thursday at Louder Than Life START OF THE DAY:
The first day of Louder Than Life is a good time to get the lay of the land.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 23 Sep. 2024
Anyone conversant with those 1970s classics of paranoia The Parallax View, The Conversion or Three Days of the Condor soon will get the lay of the land.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2024
At Archer’s ranch, Skaggs the puppy is getting to know the lay of the land, and the people and animals that share it.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Not getting the lay of the land before starting
New homeowners are often eager to get to work improving their house.
—Madeline Bilis, Architectural Digest, 26 July 2024
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Players can snap photos of the landmark using Indy’s camera to earn Adventure Points and learn the lay of the land.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
When put together in a proper means, the belief is that strident business benefits accrue:
(1) Streamlines the workplace by openly establishing the lay of the land.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
The first day of Louder Than Life is a good time to get the lay of the land.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 26 Sep. 2024
Day 1: Thursday at Louder Than Life START OF THE DAY:
The first day of Louder Than Life is a good time to get the lay of the land.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 23 Sep. 2024
Anyone conversant with those 1970s classics of paranoia The Parallax View, The Conversion or Three Days of the Condor soon will get the lay of the land.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2024
At Archer’s ranch, Skaggs the puppy is getting to know the lay of the land, and the people and animals that share it.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Not getting the lay of the land before starting
New homeowners are often eager to get to work improving their house.
—Madeline Bilis, Architectural Digest, 26 July 2024
Dictionary Entries Near the lay of the land
Cite this Entry
“The lay of the land.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20lay%20of%20the%20land. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
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