lay to

lay to

1. nauticalTo turn a ship into the wind so as to stop forward motion. We need to lay to with those nasty storm clouds on the horizon! After two days of laying to without a single whale sighting, the captain decided it was time to move on.

2. dated To set about some task or action promptly or enthusiastically. Lay to, everyone—we have to get this finished before the storm hits us! The hungry child laid to as soon as the food was placed before him.

3. To blame or credit someone or something for something. A noun or pronoun is used between "lay" and "to." He has always lain his success to the teachings of his former mentor. We can't just lay our current predicament on the last boss's failures.

See also: lay

lie to

1. To tell someone an untruth or falsehood. Don't lie to me—was it you who took the money? He's been lying to his employees for months about the state of the company.

2. Of a sailing vessel, to remain stationary while facing the wind. Make sure the ship lies to during the storm so as not to capsize.

See also: lie

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

lay something to something

to attribute something to something. I lay all our problems to the inadequacy of our training. Mary laid her success to a good upbringing.

See also: lay

lay to

to begin doing something, such as fighting or eating. All right, you guys. Lay to. The stuff will get cold if you don't eat it. Lay to! Let's get on with it.

See also: lay

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.