# lay on

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lay-on
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To provide (food or drinks) for free.

## Examples

- The company will lay on free lunch for everyone.
- The hotel decided to lay on a complimentary buffet for all the guests attending the conference.
- In an effort to impress the potential investors, the startup chose to lay on an elaborate spread of gourmet appetizers and fine wine.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.