lay down the law
To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My boss laid down the law about office hours.”
“The teacher had to lay down the law when the students started talking during the exam.”
“After weeks of chaos in the department, the new manager finally laid down the law regarding professional conduct and attendance.”
- 01
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Most things are inherited and predetermined.
- 02
best laid plans
A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the ability to fully or even partially execute them is uncertain.
- 03
have the law of
To take legal action against someone.
- 04
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
To seek short-term gain at the sacrifice of long-term profit.
- 05
lay a finger on
To merely touch.
- 06
lay an anchor to the windward
To adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for potential future success or security.
- 07
lay an egg
To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.
- 08
lay at someone's door
To blame (a problem) on someone; to hold someone responsible for (something).
Last updated August 10, 2026