lay that out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay that out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to explain or present information clearly and in an organized manner. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, can you lay that out for the team so everyone understands the plan?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This [research] is starting to lay that out," said Evans, the Elizabeth Lee Vincent Professor of Human Ecology in the Departments of Design and Environmental Analysis and of Human Development in Cornell's College of Human Ecology.

Cornell University

We've tried to lay that out for you so that you can draw your own conclusions, but it seems a lot of people want to download an archive of their Instagram photos, potentially to delete their account completely.

TechCrunch

Pocket says they know their service is changing the way readers consume content, but it was imperative to lay that out in a straightforward manner for publishers, so they could easily grasp the effect Pocket and save-for-later has on their audience and how their content is consumed.

TechCrunch

All the numbers lay that out.

Vice

And two new stories from The Washington Post and the New York Times lay that out.

The Washington Post

Or is it that you disagree that now was a good time to lay that out?

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Indeed, "It's a big fat stinking lie just like all the other lies that come out of this corrupt administration".

The Economist

But it wasn't Trump's lying that turned out to be the headline of his statements on October 17.

HuffPost

We have worked to better lay out that while this manuscript focuses on metabolomic variation, further work is required to test how this extends to other phenotypes.

eLife

Started as a white lie that snowballed out of control.

WikiHow

LIES You can't pray a lie -- I found that out.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay that out", ensure the context implies a desire for a detailed and organized explanation. It's suitable for scenarios where clarity and structure are crucial.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "lay that out" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "explain that" or "show me" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay that out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "lay" with the particle "out" to create a distinct meaning related to explanation and presentation. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay that out" is a useful phrasal verb for requesting or offering a clear, detailed explanation or presentation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for situations where a structured and organized approach is valued. As the examples from Ludwig illustrate, its frequency is common across diverse fields such as news, academia, and business. When in doubt, consider alternative phrases like "explain that clearly" or "present that in detail", especially in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain that clearly

Focuses more on the explanation aspect, emphasizing clarity.

present that in detail

Emphasizes a comprehensive presentation of information.

clarify that matter

Focuses on resolving ambiguity and making something easier to understand.

detail that process

Highlights the step-by-step explanation of a procedure.

describe that thoroughly

Stresses the completeness of the description.

outline that information

Focuses on providing a structured overview.

break that down

Suggests simplifying a complex topic for easier understanding.

spell that out

Implies a very direct and explicit explanation, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

illustrate that point

Uses examples and visual aids to make a concept clearer.

elucidate that concept

Suggests a more formal and in-depth explanation, often in an academic context.

FAQs

What does "lay that out" mean?

"Lay that out" means to explain something clearly and in detail, often in a structured or organized manner.

How can I use "lay that out" in a sentence?

You can use "lay that out" when you want someone to thoroughly explain a concept, plan, or situation. For example: "Can you "explain that clearly" before we proceed?"

What's a more informal way to say "lay that out"?

Informal alternatives to "lay that out" include "explain that", "show me", or "walk me through it".

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "lay that out"?

While generally acceptable, using "spell that out" might be more appropriate if the explanation is extremely detailed and leaves no room for misunderstanding.