Lay down the law
verb phrase
To clearly announce rules or instructions.
The new manager decided to lay down the law on his first day to make sure everyone understood his expectations.
Often appears as...
- decide to lay down the law
- lay down the law on
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To tell somebody very forcefully what they must do or must not do.
My mother laid down the law about hanging out with my friends on school nights.
Often appears as...
- lay down the law with
- lay down the law to
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb phrase
To clearly announce rules or instructions.
The new manager decided to lay down the law on his first day to make sure everyone understood his expectations.
Often appears as...
- decide to lay down the law
- lay down the law on
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To tell somebody very forcefully what they must do or must not do.
My mother laid down the law about hanging out with my friends on school nights.
Often appears as...
- lay down the law with
- lay down the law to
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Assertive Tone
The phrase often suggests the speaker is asserting control or authority in a situation.
The captain decided to lay down the law before the ship set sail.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it may sound strict, it can also mean setting clear, needed guidelines.
The teacher laid down the law about plagiarism in her class.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal Law
The 'law' refers to rules or standards, not actual legal laws.
The camp counselor had to lay down the law about lights out times.
Pro Tip 1/3Assertive Tone
The phrase often suggests the speaker is asserting control or authority in a situation.
The captain decided to lay down the law before the ship set sail.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it may sound strict, it can also mean setting clear, needed guidelines.
The teacher laid down the law about plagiarism in her class.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal Law
The 'law' refers to rules or standards, not actual legal laws.
The camp counselor had to lay down the law about lights out times.
Pro Tip 1/3Assertive Tone
The phrase often suggests the speaker is asserting control or authority in a situation.
The captain decided to lay down the law before the ship set sail.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it may sound strict, it can also mean setting clear, needed guidelines.
The teacher laid down the law about plagiarism in her class.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal Law
The 'law' refers to rules or standards, not actual legal laws.
The camp counselor had to lay down the law about lights out times.
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