Lay about you
verb
To strike or hit people around you, especially in a random or reckless manner.
The man, in his panic, began to lay about him with his fists.
Often appears as...
- lay about him
- lay about herself
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To criticize or complain about someone or something in an angry way.
She would often lay about her in her blog, venting her displeasure at the world.
Often appears as...
- lay about him
- lay about herself
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To strike or hit people around you, especially in a random or reckless manner.
The man, in his panic, began to lay about him with his fists.
Often appears as...
- lay about him
- lay about herself
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To criticize or complain about someone or something in an angry way.
She would often lay about her in her blog, venting her displeasure at the world.
Often appears as...
- lay about him
- lay about herself
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Physical aggression
Indicates a wild or desperate attempt to defend oneself or attack others.
During the brawl, he began to lay about him wildly.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical usage
Often found in historical or literary contexts, describing scenes of combat or disorder.
The knight laid about him with his sword to protect his comrades.
Pro Tip 3/3Random action
Implies a lack of precision or control in one's actions, akin to flailing.
In a fit of rage, she laid about her without regard for what she hit.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical aggression
Indicates a wild or desperate attempt to defend oneself or attack others.
During the brawl, he began to lay about him wildly.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical usage
Often found in historical or literary contexts, describing scenes of combat or disorder.
The knight laid about him with his sword to protect his comrades.
Pro Tip 3/3Random action
Implies a lack of precision or control in one's actions, akin to flailing.
In a fit of rage, she laid about her without regard for what she hit.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical aggression
Indicates a wild or desperate attempt to defend oneself or attack others.
During the brawl, he began to lay about him wildly.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical usage
Often found in historical or literary contexts, describing scenes of combat or disorder.
The knight laid about him with his sword to protect his comrades.
Pro Tip 3/3Random action
Implies a lack of precision or control in one's actions, akin to flailing.
In a fit of rage, she laid about her without regard for what she hit.
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