ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lay down the law

idiom
Meaning

To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.


Examples
SIMPLE

My boss laid down the law about office hours.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher had to lay down the law when the students started talking during the exam.

COMPLEX

After weeks of chaos in the department, the new manager finally laid down the law regarding professional conduct and attendance.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    have the law of

    To take legal action against someone.

  2. 02

    lay a finger on

    To merely touch.

  3. 03

    lay an anchor to the windward

    To adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for potential future success or security.

  4. 04

    lay an egg

    To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.

  5. 05

    lay at someone's door

    To blame (a problem) on someone; to hold someone responsible for (something).

  6. 06

    lay by the heels

    To fetter, to shackle; to imprison.

  7. 07

    lay down the marker

    To set the standard.

  8. 08

    lay eggs

    To produce a string of failures or flops.

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