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lay into

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lay into someone or something

to attack, consume, or scold someone or something. Bob laid into the big plate of fried chicken. The bear laid into the hunter. My father really laid into me when I got home.

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lay into somebody

to attack someone physically or with words First the two kids just yelled but soon they laid into each other with hard punches. My sister really laid into me for borrowing her dress without asking first.

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lay into something

to eat something quickly and with pleasure Both hikers laid into a huge dinner with great enthusiasm.

See also: lay

lay into

1. Attack physically, The boys ganged up and laid into Bobby.

2. Scold vigorously, as in The teacher laid into her aide when she learned he had left the children alone in the schoolyard . [Early 1800s] Also see pitch into.

See also: lay

lay into

v.

1. To embed something by penetrating some surface: The builders laid the first stones into the ground for a foundation yesterday. The ceremony started when a stake was laid into the soil.

2. To begin to penetrate or undertake something, especially resolutely: The ceremony started when the dignitary laid into the soil with a shovel. I sat down and laid into my work right away.

3. To scold someone sharply: The sergeant laid into the private for being late.

4. To attack someone physically; beat someone up: They punched me on the chin and then really laid into me.

See also: lay