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Glite Dictionary
🗣️ To explain clearly 🧰 To arrange neatly 💸 To spend money
to lay out

to lay out

207 3.2
To explain something clearly and in detail
  • phrasal verb
  • /leɪ aʊt/
translation icon : exponer
  • Could you lay out the basic structure of the book?
  • lay out a plan
  • lay out an argument
  • lay out the problem

So first, let's start by laying out what the silent treatment is.

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Examples

  • Today was the day that Democrats began to lay out their case against the president.

  • The text ends with a concluding chapter that lays out the conviction and hopes of the participants.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Well, what the woman wants is to lay out all the things that might be wrong.

    The Diary Of A CEO

  • So I want to lay out for you some things to understand.

    Stephan Speaks

  • I'll just sort of lay out what people think about it.

  • I'll lay out the events exactly as I remember them.

    The Night Listener (2006)

  • I'm gonna lay out your options for you.

    Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

  • In early November, the SEC laid out its proposed regulations to define and implement the controversial new provision.

    Academic text (2011)

  • TRIP: He'll lay out a detailed plan for us in a sec, but first I'd like to direct your attention to our plan to renovate the riverside.

    Step Up Revolution (2012)

  • Could you lay out the basic structure of the project for the team?

Synonyms

to explain
vsto lay out
∞ 1.0

To make something clear by describing it in simple words

aims for clear organized presentation and more complete detail than simple clarity
to define
vsto lay out
252 1.0

To make the shape or edges of something clear

is broader, involving full explanation and organized detail beyond definition
to spell out
vsto lay out
79 3.5

To explain something clearly and in detail

adds an element of organized presentation beyond simply stating clearly
to formulate
vsto lay out
59 4.5

To create and describe an idea, plan, or theory clearly

is more about presenting and explaining existing information than creating it
to clearly state
vsto lay out
34 2.7

Say or write something so people have no doubt

adds fuller organization and detailed explanation beyond mere clarity
to set out
vsto lay out
32 3.2

To arrange objects or information in a clear organized way

includes clear explaining and detailed presentation, not only arrangement
to set forth
vsto lay out
  • Formal
29 4.2

To state something clearly in writing or speech

is less formal and covers clear explanation in more contexts
to write out
vsto lay out
25 2.4

Put all the details on a form or paper

covers presenting and explaining clearly in speech or writing beyond only writing
to expound
vsto lay out
  • Formal
20 7.3

Explain something in detail so people understand it

is more general presentation and clear detail rather than extreme depth
to delineate
vsto lay out
  • Formal
5 6.8

To describe something clearly and in detail

is broader, aiming to present and explain rather than only set boundaries
to explicate
vsto lay out
  • Formal
3 7.4

To explain something clearly in detail

focuses more on presenting and organizing information for understanding

Antonyms

to confuse
266 1.9

Make someone unable to think clearly or make something hard to understand

to obscure
86 7.0

Make something hard to see or understand

How Detailed

to expound
  • Formal
20 7.3
to elaborate
79 4.2
to lay out
207 3.2
to explain
∞ 1.0
to state
∞ 1.6
outline
59 2.7
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

lay + out

The sense 'to spend/pay (money)' can be seen as a metaphorical extension of 'lay' (to put/place) + 'out' (away/externally) — i.e. to put money out — so there is a recognizable compositional link. However, the financial sense is an extended, partly metaphorical use and not fully predictable for all learners without exposure, so it should be classed as partially transparent.

Etymology

Lay out comes from the image of spreading plans or papers flat on a table so everyone can see them. By laying things out you make the steps easy to follow, so it means 'to present or explain in detail'.