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lay waste

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lay waste (to something)

to destroy something Last night, rabbits laid waste to the lettuce I was going to pick today. The army laid waste to the countryside as it moved south.

See also: lay, waste

lay waste

Ravage, ruin, as in The hurricane laid waste the entire seashore. Originally referring to the devastation caused by attackers, this term has come to be used more generally.

See also: lay, waste

lay waste

To ravage: Rebel troops laid waste the town.

See also: lay, waste