Lay it on the line
verb
To tell someone something clearly or honestly even if it is unpleasant.
He laid it on the line and told her that she needed to start taking her responsibilities more seriously.
Often appears as...
- lay it on the line and tell
- lay it on the line by saying
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
verb
To risk something important.
He laid his job on the line when he decided to whistle-blow on his company's illegal practices.
Often appears as...
- lay career on the line
- lay reputation on the line
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
verb
To tell someone something clearly or honestly even if it is unpleasant.
He laid it on the line and told her that she needed to start taking her responsibilities more seriously.
Often appears as...
- lay it on the line and tell
- lay it on the line by saying
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
verb
To risk something important.
He laid his job on the line when he decided to whistle-blow on his company's illegal practices.
Often appears as...
- lay career on the line
- lay reputation on the line
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Emphasis
Used to emphasize the seriousness of the conversation or the truth being told.
I need to lay it on the line: your performance has not been good enough.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential Discomfort
The phrase often precedes information that might be hard for the listener to hear.
To lay it on the line, your attitude has been causing problems.
Pro Tip 3/3No Sugarcoating
The speaker is being direct, not softening the message.
She's going to lay it on the line about the team's future.
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Emphasis
Used to emphasize the seriousness of the conversation or the truth being told.
I need to lay it on the line: your performance has not been good enough.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential Discomfort
The phrase often precedes information that might be hard for the listener to hear.
To lay it on the line, your attitude has been causing problems.
Pro Tip 3/3No Sugarcoating
The speaker is being direct, not softening the message.
She's going to lay it on the line about the team's future.
Pro Tip 1/3Strong Emphasis
Used to emphasize the seriousness of the conversation or the truth being told.
I need to lay it on the line: your performance has not been good enough.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential Discomfort
The phrase often precedes information that might be hard for the listener to hear.
To lay it on the line, your attitude has been causing problems.
Pro Tip 3/3No Sugarcoating
The speaker is being direct, not softening the message.
She's going to lay it on the line about the team's future.
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