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3. lay for

lay for

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lay for someone or something

to lie in wait for someone or something. The sheriff was laying for the outlaw. Bill was laying for me when I came out of the saloon.

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lay something for someone or something

to prepare something (for a meal) for the benefit of someone or a group. She laid a lovely picnic for the two of them. Would you lay the table for dinner for our guests?

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lay for

Be waiting to attack; also, lie in wait for, as in The gang members were laying for him in that dark alley, or The reporters were laying for the Vice President when he came out of the meeting. [Late 1400s]

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lay for

v.

To be waiting to attack someone: Muggers were laying for the unsuspecting pedestrian in the dark alley.

See also: lay