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Glite Dictionary
🗣️ To criticize strongly 🥊 To hit hard
to lay into

to lay into

3 7.2
Use angry words to criticize someone strongly
  • phrasal verb
  • /leɪ ˈɪntu/
  • Informal
translation icon : criticar duramente
  • He laid into the politician during the debate, criticizing his policies without hesitation.
  • really laid into
  • just laid into

I cannot say it in my house without people just just laying into me.

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Examples

  • Mark: I better pick up my game or Jared will really lay into me.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • "She laid into him, but they didn't show that."

    Blog text (12)

  • Yeah, quiet ride, and then when SD went upstairs to our apartment, I laid into him.

    Blog text (27)

  • On the other hand, AARP would really lay into Congress if they messed with this, so I doubt they cut coverage.

    Blog text (27)

  • Now Mayor Pete laid into Trump and took a special moment to take down JD Vance.

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • Chris Matthews laid into former GE CEO Jack Welch on Friday's "Hardball" for baselessly suggesting that the latest unemployment figures had been manipulated by the Obama campaign.

    Blog text (17)

  • During the meeting, she really laid into him for his lack of preparation.

  • The coach laid into the team after their disappointing performance last week.

Synonyms

to take potshots at
vsto lay into
  • Offensive
4 8.1

To make quick, unfair critical remarks about someone or their ideas

is more forceful and deliberate rather than casual remarks
to rip into
vsto lay into
  • Informal
4 7.4

To attack someone with strong angry words

is similar but focuses on fierce rather than eager attack
to tear into
vsto lay into
  • Informal
4 7.4

To attack or criticize someone strongly

matches the same fierce attack idea but is more general
to shoot holes in
vsto lay into
  • Informal
1 7.2

To find and point out weak points in an idea, plan or argument

is broader fierce criticism not limited to argument analysis
to hit out at
vsto lay into
  • UK
1 6.7

To criticize someone or something strongly in public

is fierce criticism but not necessarily public
to throw dirt
vsto lay into
  • Informal
1 7.2

Say bad things about someone to harm their reputation

focuses on fierce personal attack rather than reputation slander
to lace into
vsto lay into
  • NSFW
8.5

Criticize or attack someone strongly

attacks or criticizes fiercely but not necessarily violently
to throw brickbats
vsto lay into
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

shares harshness but may lack the personal fierceness of the key
to put the boot in
vsto lay into
  • UK
9.1

To attack or criticize someone who is already in trouble

is fierce criticism but not specifically aimed at vulnerable targets
to hit him when he's down
vsto lay into
  • Informal
8.2

Say mean things to someone when they are already in trouble

is strong criticism without the requirement of attacking vulnerability

Antonyms

to praise
331 1.0

To tell a person that you admire or approve of them

How Fiercely

to lay into
  • Informal
3 7.2
to lash out
71 5.6
to berate
36 7.2
rebuke
22 6.8
to scold
55 2.2
to criticize
701 3.3
to chide
22 7.0

Surface Forms

lay into infinitive
laying into present participle
lays into third person singular
laid into past
laid into past participle

Morphology

lay + into

The meaning 'attack or criticize fiercely' is not directly derivable from the literal senses of 'lay' (to place) and 'into' (movement into), since the particle creates a metaphorical, idiomatic sense rather than a literal placement. However, the directional particle 'into' does cue a directed action, so learners may partially guess an aggressive or directed behavior but not the specific forceful/critical sense without prior exposure.

Etymology

Lay into gives the image of a strong attack used for words: think of someone hitting another with words, so to lay criticism into someone is like giving a verbal beating. That's why lay into can mean 'to attack or criticize' someone fiercely.