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
An informal and anonymous WWD poll of dealmakers at big private equity companies in the consumer space showed that even the experts are still reading the lay of the land.
—
Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Families, not just players, have to get to know each other and the lay of the land.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Time Travel at the Tampa Bay History Center Get the lay of the land at the Tampa Bay History Center.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
As well as the film companies and the films being showcased, the pavilion aims to share the lay of the land in terms of the Chinese film industry overall.
—Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Case in point: Avalon Fenster, 23, taught herself how to use AI in her personal and professional life — then wound up showing her older coworkers the lay of the land during internships.
—April Rubin, Axios, 9 Mar. 2025
But the maps showed several fingers coming off the ridge in that area, and the maps made the lay of the land even more confusing.
—Larry Dablemont, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2025
To review the timeline: Chloe enters the gift shop, gets the lay of the land, goes into the dressing room and texts Greg/Gary that there’s no security.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
And just get an idea, the lay of the land of how things work in this league.
—ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
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Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Families, not just players, have to get to know each other and the lay of the land.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Time Travel at the Tampa Bay History Center Get the lay of the land at the Tampa Bay History Center.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
As well as the film companies and the films being showcased, the pavilion aims to share the lay of the land in terms of the Chinese film industry overall.
—Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Case in point: Avalon Fenster, 23, taught herself how to use AI in her personal and professional life — then wound up showing her older coworkers the lay of the land during internships.
—April Rubin, Axios, 9 Mar. 2025
But the maps showed several fingers coming off the ridge in that area, and the maps made the lay of the land even more confusing.
—Larry Dablemont, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2025
To review the timeline: Chloe enters the gift shop, gets the lay of the land, goes into the dressing room and texts Greg/Gary that there’s no security.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
And just get an idea, the lay of the land of how things work in this league.
—ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
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 15 Apr. 2025.
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