lay all that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay all that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an incomplete expression, but it could be intended to convey the idea of presenting or explaining something fully. Example: "Before we proceed, I need you to lay all that on the table so we can discuss it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I said, [forget] that, don't lay all that on me.

The New York Times

And we lay all that at Harry Reid's doorstep.

The New York Times

"But I don't mean to lay all that on you.

The New Yorker

And hey, if Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to lay all that empire stuff on me, why can't she write to me herself.

The Guardian - Books

I briefly considered telling him the whole story of my breakup and my evening drinking cheap margaritas by myself, but fortunately I wasn't quite drunk enough to lay all that crazy out on the table.

Huffington Post

He lay all that day without sleeping, into the dusk, then the dark.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I scanned the inscriptions: "Here lies all that could die of Bruce Kenrick"; "Penry Jones.

The Guardian - Travel

The sensors can pick up if she's sitting, standing, lying, all that kind of stuff," says Boler, adding: "None of the other products are getting reliable data, they're not able to show continuous real-time data.

TechCrunch

You may not know it yet, but the day when you're standing around the water cooler bragging about your chef's osso buco may not lie all that far off.

Forbes

I try to lay all of that out, in a way that isn't just a celebratory history.

Huffington Post

He did not acknowledge me, Nicky, the ten thousand pumpkins that lay all around us. "Boy, get back in that car".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "explain all that" or "present all that" instead of "lay all that."

Common error

A common error is using "lay" (to place something down) when "lie" (to recline or be in a horizontal position) is intended. Ensure you are using the correct verb form to avoid grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay all that" functions as a verbal phrase, though often incorrectly used. As Ludwig AI explains, it can be an incomplete expression or an attempt to convey the idea of presenting or explaining something fully.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lay all that" is grammatically incorrect in standard English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While the phrase appears in various sources, primarily news and media, its intended meaning often revolves around presenting or explaining information or burdens. Better alternatives include phrases like "explain all that", "present all that", or "reveal all that", depending on the context. Correct usage and clarity are essential for effective communication, and opting for grammatically sound alternatives ensures your message is well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain all that

Focuses on clarifying or providing a detailed account of something.

present all that

Emphasizes the act of offering or showing something, such as evidence or information.

reveal all that

Focuses on unveiling or making something known, emphasizing the act of disclosure.

detail all that

Emphasizes providing specific and comprehensive information about something.

communicate all that

Emphasizes the act of conveying information effectively.

expose all that

Highlights the act of bringing something hidden or concealed to light.

uncover all that

Implies discovering or finding something that was previously unknown or hidden.

share all that

Focuses on communicating or giving something, such as experiences or information, to others.

divulge all that

Suggests revealing confidential or sensitive information.

disclose all that

Highlights the act of making something known publicly or officially.

FAQs

What does "lay all that" mean?

The phrase "lay all that" is not grammatically correct. It might be intended to mean "present all that" or "explain all that", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "lay all that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "explain all that", "present all that", or "reveal all that".

Is it correct to say "lay all that"?

No, "lay all that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Consider using more appropriate alternatives such as "present all that".

What's the difference between "lay all that" and "lie all that"?

"Lay" is a transitive verb that requires an object (e.g., "lay the book down"), while "lie" is intransitive (e.g., "lie down"). The phrase "lay all that" is generally incorrect; depending on the intended meaning, "present all that" is usually more appropriate. "Lie all that" isn't correct either.