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
Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was still a young player figuring out how to be pro, and new edge Brian Burns was still learning the lay of the land.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
Go beyond surface-level research Finding an experienced safari operator with a conservation background — one that knows the lay of the land, the weather, the politics, the people and the wildlife — means doing some homework.
—Costas Christ, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
To get the lay of the land, book the two-hour Yosemite Valley Floor Tour.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
That’s particularly so as anti-China Trump advisors like Peter Navarro and hardline trade officials like Robert Lighthizer and Jamieson Greer give him the lay of the land.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In the spring, summer, and fall (when there’s no snow on the ground), trek the Castle Rock Trail (about three miles) and ride the free trolley to get the lay of the land.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
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
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Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
Go beyond surface-level research Finding an experienced safari operator with a conservation background — one that knows the lay of the land, the weather, the politics, the people and the wildlife — means doing some homework.
—Costas Christ, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
To get the lay of the land, book the two-hour Yosemite Valley Floor Tour.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
That’s particularly so as anti-China Trump advisors like Peter Navarro and hardline trade officials like Robert Lighthizer and Jamieson Greer give him the lay of the land.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In the spring, summer, and fall (when there’s no snow on the ground), trek the Castle Rock Trail (about three miles) and ride the free trolley to get the lay of the land.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
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
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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