lay anchor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay anchor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in nautical contexts to refer to the act of dropping anchor to secure a vessel in place. Example: "After a long journey, the captain decided to lay anchor in the calm bay for the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet, those navigating the tricky waters of romance need warnings of the rocks and reefs ahead more than intimations of the happy haven in which they hope to lay anchor.

The Guardian - Film

Crew members lay anchor, winched the cage into place on the starboard side of the boat, baited lines, and scattered chum — minced fish and shark liver blended with brine.

The New York Times - Travel

They're on a boat, after all---or a ship, rather---and there's "no safe harbor" as the season's slogan reminds us, which means they'll never be able to lay anchor for long.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He didn't board until June 5th, and then the confounded ship lay anchored at Sandy Hook for two weeks.

The New Yorker

The Ottomans reached the island in May, catching the Christians by surprise and attacking their fleet as it lay anchored in port.

Britannica

Sir Peter Blake, one of the world's leading yachtsmen, was shot and killed late Wednesday night when a gang of masked robbers boarded his vessel as it lay anchored in a harbor near the mouth of the Amazon River.

The New York Times

The islands were shrouded in ominous-looking mists, and the Pacific had been rough all day, but Graham had foreseen that the waters in the islands' lee might be somewhat calmer, and over the next couple of hours the Phantom trials proceeded as we lay anchored there.

The New Yorker

Moltke, and the rest of Hipper's battlecruisers in the I Scouting Group, lay anchored in the outer Jade Roads on the night of 30 May 1916.

Wikipedia

There lay anchored the Australian ship, HMAS Una, which earlier had been the German imperial yacht, the, designated for use by the German governor of the colony.

Wikipedia

While Yorktown lay anchored there, tension between the United States and Chile relaxed and the crisis abated, and the Chilean later government provided compensation for the families of the American sailors that were killed.

Wikipedia

We joined a vast armada of ships of all nations, all shapes and sizes, some lying anchor, some bustling busily about.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay anchor", ensure the context is nautical or metaphorical relating to establishing a firm foundation. It's less common in everyday speech compared to "drop anchor".

Common error

Avoid using the past tense "laid anchor" when the present tense "lay anchor" is required. "Lay" is the present tense form used when describing the action of anchoring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay anchor" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an action phrase describing the act of setting or dropping an anchor to secure a vessel. Ludwig AI shows examples in nautical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lay anchor" is a verb phrase used in nautical contexts to describe the action of setting an anchor to secure a vessel. While grammatically correct, it is a relatively rare expression, with Ludwig AI providing examples mostly from news and encyclopedic sources. More common alternatives include "drop anchor" or "cast anchor". It's crucial to use the correct verb tense, preferring "lay anchor" for present tense or general instructions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drop anchor

Replaces "lay" with "drop", a more common verb for the action of releasing an anchor.

cast anchor

Uses "cast" instead of "lay", another common synonym for releasing an anchor.

anchor the boat

Rephrases using a more common term, "boat" instead of "vessel".

set the anchor

Emphasizes the action of setting the anchor in place.

secure the vessel

Focuses on the result of anchoring, which is to secure the vessel's position.

moor the ship

Uses "moor" which means to secure a ship to a particular place.

drop the hook

Uses a nautical slang term, "hook", for anchor.

come to anchor

Describes the action of arriving and anchoring in a location.

tie up the ship

Offers a more general term for securing a ship, though not specifically anchoring.

secure the mooring

Focuses on securing the mooring lines, implying a more fixed position than simply anchoring.

FAQs

What does "lay anchor" mean?

"Lay anchor" means to drop or set an anchor to secure a ship or boat in a particular location. It's a nautical term used to describe the act of anchoring a vessel.

Is it correct to say "laid anchor" instead of "lay anchor"?

The correct form is "lay anchor" when describing the action in the present tense or as a general instruction. "Laid anchor" is the past tense form. You can also use alternatives like "drop anchor" or "cast anchor".

What are some synonyms for "lay anchor"?

Synonyms for "lay anchor" include "drop anchor", "cast anchor", "secure the vessel", and "moor the ship". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "lay anchor" in a sentence?

You can use "lay anchor" in a sentence like: "The captain decided to "lay anchor" in the sheltered cove for the night" or "Crew members "lay anchor", winched the cage into place on the starboard side of the boat."