Antonyms for lay open

Grammar : Verb

Spell : ley

Phonetic Transcription : leɪ

Definition of lay open

Origin : Old English lecgan "to place on the ground (or other surface)," also "put down (often by striking)," from Proto-Germanic *lagjanan (cf. Old Saxon leggian, Old Norse leggja, Old Frisian ledza, Middle Dutch legghan, Dutch leggen, Old High German lecken, German legen, Gothic lagjan "to lay, put, place"), causative of lie (v.2). As a noun, from 1550s, "act of laying." Meaning "way in which something is laid" (e.g. lay of the land) first recorded 1819.
Meaning "have sex with" first recorded 1934, in U.S. slang, probably from sense of "deposit" (which was in Old English, as in lay an egg, lay a bet, etc.), perhaps reinforced by to lie with, a phrase frequently met in the Bible. The noun meaning "woman available for sexual intercourse" is attested from 1930, but there are suggestions of it in stage puns from as far back as 1767. To lay for (someone) "await a chance at revenge" is from late 15c.; lay low "stay inconspicuous" is from 1839. To lay (someone) low preserves the secondary Old English sense.

As in tell : verb communicate
As in uncover : verb reveal, disclose
As in unveil : verb reveal
As in venture : verb take a chance
As in unclothe : verb reveal
As in come out with : verb disclose information
As in cut : verb sever, chop with sharp instrument; incise
As in dissect : verb cut up; take apart
As in endanger : verb put in jeopardy
As in expose : verb reveal
As in expose : verb subject to danger

Example sentences :

His work, a sealed book to his women before, lay open to her.
Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Once this junction was formed, the Hudson lay open--and after that?
Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic

All that was left of her was the purple prayer-book which lay open on the bed.
Extract from : « Where Angels Fear to Tread » by E. M. Forster

She jerked an impatient thumb at a telegram that lay open on the dressing-table.
Extract from : « Nobody » by Louis Joseph Vance

The physician of whom I have spoken, was disposed to lay open his heart to me.
Extract from : « The Autobiography of Madame Guyon » by Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon

I was dusting my father's books, which lay open just as he had left them.
Extract from : « Slain By The Doones » by R. D. Blackmore

No corner of his being but lay open to the great Consolatrix.
Extract from : « The Child of Pleasure » by Gabriele D'Annunzio

It was Sunday evening, and Eva's Bible lay open on her knee.
Extract from : « Uncle Tom's Cabin » by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Suffice it to say that the northern frontier of France lay open to attack.
Extract from : « William Pitt and the Great War » by John Holland Rose

It is no trifling matter to lay open a tree ten feet in diameter.
Extract from : « The Hunters' Feast » by Mayne Reid

Synonyms for lay open

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019