Phrase guide

lay down the law

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To promulgate law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To present the law that applies to a given case.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: եղանակ ստեղծել (eġanak steġcel) — to assert what is permitted
  • French: faire la loi — to assert what is permitted
  • French: faire la pluie et le beau temps — to assert what is permitted
  • Italian: fare il bello e il cattivo tempo — to assert what is permitted
  • Russian: делать погоду (delatʹ pogodu) — to assert what is permitted
  • Welsh: rhoi'r ddeddf i lawr — to assert what is permitted
  • Welsh: dweud y drefn — to assert what is permitted