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
And for the coaching staff to get into their offices and get the lay of the land.
—
Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
Luckily, the lay of the land around the new fissure channeled most of the fresh lava into an unpopulated area to the east.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024
By contrast, Russian diplomats need only go online to get the lay of the land, and since that can be done from anywhere, their expulsion hurts Moscow less.
—Daniel Fried, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2018
By the time Fidel Castro had seized power, her parents saw the lay of the land and made that final step, settling in Miami.
—Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024
Beyond spending thousands of dollars to see these shows, the next best thing is this glamorous coffee table biography from Silverman, who knows the lay of the land and puts Sondheim in only the best light.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Dec. 2023
Hogg, a native Zambian, was there to greet us and give the lay of the land.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2023
To get the lay of the land, start your trip to Middleburg on foot.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
Plus, Dimon was already familiar with the lay of the land here, having spent eight formative years here, including four at Tufts and two at Harvard Business School.
—Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 3 May 2023
Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
Luckily, the lay of the land around the new fissure channeled most of the fresh lava into an unpopulated area to the east.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024
By contrast, Russian diplomats need only go online to get the lay of the land, and since that can be done from anywhere, their expulsion hurts Moscow less.
—Daniel Fried, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2018
By the time Fidel Castro had seized power, her parents saw the lay of the land and made that final step, settling in Miami.
—Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024
Beyond spending thousands of dollars to see these shows, the next best thing is this glamorous coffee table biography from Silverman, who knows the lay of the land and puts Sondheim in only the best light.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Dec. 2023
Hogg, a native Zambian, was there to greet us and give the lay of the land.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2023
To get the lay of the land, start your trip to Middleburg on foot.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
Plus, Dimon was already familiar with the lay of the land here, having spent eight formative years here, including four at Tufts and two at Harvard Business School.
—Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 3 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the lay of the land.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 28 Apr. 2024.
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