lay on
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle on
Meanings
Place a duty or charge on someone
Why “on”? Weight piles on top of you. What is on you is yours to carry.
“The judge laid a fine on him.”
“The council laid a charge on the builder.”
Provide or supply something for an event
“They laid on a buffet.”
“The hotel laid on buses for guests.”
Don't confuse with
Lay on means place a duty or charge on someone. Lay out means spread or arrange items so they can be seen.
Test yourself
“The judge laid a fine on him.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lay out
A contrast learners often mix up
Spread or arrange items so they can be seen
dump on
Same on pattern: burden
Unload an unwanted task onto someone
foist on
Same on pattern: burden
Impose something unwanted
heap on
Same on pattern: burden
Pour generously onto someone
impose on
Same on pattern: burden
Take advantage of someone's hospitality
load on
Same on pattern: burden
Burden with a great quantity
palm on
Same on pattern: burden
Pass off a chore to someone else
pile on
Same on pattern: burden
Add ever more onto someone
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