lay open

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lay somebody/something open (to something)

1. to put someone or something in a position where there is risk or danger The Senator's remarks were thoughtless and laid him open to criticism.

2. to create an opportunity A string of victories laid the way open for our track team to compete in the regional championship.

Related vocabulary: pave the way for somebody/something

See also: lay, open

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? References in classic literature
What seemed the centre of the Stranger's form lay open to my view: yet I could see no heart, nor lungs, nor arteries, only a beautiful harmonious Something -- for which I had no words; but you, my Readers in Spaceland, would call it the surface of the Sphere. Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context We shall therefore very minutely lay open those previous matters by which it was produced; and for that purpose we shall be obliged to reveal all the secrets of a little family with which my reader is at present entirely unacquainted; and of which the oeconomy was so rare and extraordinary, that I fear it will shock the utmost credulity of many married persons. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context The unfinished letter which she had been writing when Lady Montbarry interrupted her, lay open on the blotting-book. The Haunted Hotel by Collins, Wilkie View in context More results

? References in classic literature

What seemed the centre of the Stranger's form lay open to my view: yet I could see no heart, nor lungs, nor arteries, only a beautiful harmonious Something -- for which I had no words; but you, my Readers in Spaceland, would call it the surface of the Sphere.

Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context

We shall therefore very minutely lay open those previous matters by which it was produced; and for that purpose we shall be obliged to reveal all the secrets of a little family with which my reader is at present entirely unacquainted; and of which the oeconomy was so rare and extraordinary, that I fear it will shock the utmost credulity of many married persons.

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context

The unfinished letter which she had been writing when Lady Montbarry interrupted her, lay open on the blotting-book.

The Haunted Hotel by Collins, Wilkie View in context

More results

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lay it on the line
lay it on thick
lay low
lay low and sing small
lay of the land
lay off
lay on
lay open
lay out
lay out in lavender
lay out on
lay over
lay rubber
lay some sweet lines on
lay the blame on

Idioms and phrases

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