1. Home
2. Idioms
3. lay open

lay open

---

---

lay somebody/something open (to something)

1. to put someone or something in a position where there is risk or danger The Senator's remarks were thoughtless and laid him open to criticism.

2. to create an opportunity A string of victories laid the way open for our track team to compete in the regional championship.

Related vocabulary: pave the way for somebody/something

See also: lay, open

lay open

Expose; also, make vulnerable to. For example, The audit laid open some suspicious dealings, or She had not laid herself open to any charge of wrongdoing. The first usage dates from the mid-1500s, the second from the mid-1800s. Also see leave open.

See also: lay, open