lay them aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay them aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to set something down or to disregard something temporarily. Example: "During the meeting, please lay them aside and focus on the main agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Probably lay them aside against a turning of the tide.

The New Yorker

Tharks and Thoats and alien hovercraft — and then lay them aside and pitch their film as "The Notebook".

The New Yorker

Although Mr. Zimmer brought up these and other allegations at yesterday's news conference, he said the time had nevertheless come to lay them aside.

The New York Times

Morning newspapers are thrown away before the afternoon, and if an article that is not closely connected with the news is to have its best chance of being read it must be printed on that day of the week on which, with play as well as work before them, men do but glance through their morning newspapers and lay them aside to be looked at in a more convenient time.

The Guardian

Cut them out and lay them aside.

WikiHow

Then, lay them aside to cool.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Set them on a greased, large tray and lay them there aside.

WikiHow

As you set them aside, lay them in more or less the same order or configuration as they were inside the insert.

WikiHow

Rather than worsening the crisis, Europe and the US must lay their differences aside, work them out, and collaborate on the real threats and challenges.

Huffington Post

Assume, then, that the non-winner can lay this aside, there is a yet third hurdle to be scrambled over.

The Guardian - Books

A spokesman for the health department said the survey was "on indefinite hold".' Dr. George J. Petruncio, a family doctor in southern New Jersey who had criticized the idea of using secret shoppers, welcomed the decision to lay it aside.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lay them aside" when you want to suggest a temporary removal or disregard of something. For instance, "Lay your concerns aside and focus on the task at hand".

Common error

Ensure you use "lay" correctly as a transitive verb (requiring a direct object), meaning to place or set something down. "Lie" is intransitive and means to recline or rest. Therefore, avoid saying "lie them aside"; the correct phrase is "lay them aside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay them aside" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one. It indicates an action (laying) performed on an object (them), directing something to be temporarily put to the side or disregarded. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay them aside" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that means to temporarily put something to the side or disregard it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it appears in both news articles and instructional guides, reflecting a neutral register. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent and clear. Remember to differentiate between "lay" and "lie" to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives include "set them aside" or "put them aside".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set them aside

Similar meaning, using "set" instead of "lay".

put them aside

Similar meaning, using "put" instead of "lay".

leave them aside

Emphasizes the act of leaving something for a later time.

hold them back

Suggests a temporary withholding or reservation.

keep them in reserve

Focuses on maintaining something for future use.

shelve them temporarily

Implies a more formal or organized postponement.

defer them for now

Highlights the act of postponing or delaying.

suspend them for the moment

Indicates a temporary interruption or cessation.

table them until later

A more formal term for postponing discussion or action.

postpone them

A general term for delaying something.

FAQs

What does "lay them aside" mean?

The phrase "lay them aside" means to temporarily put something to the side or disregard it, either physically or metaphorically. It suggests setting something aside for later use or consideration, or ignoring it for the time being.

How can I use "lay them aside" in a sentence?

You can use "lay them aside" when instructing someone to set something down temporarily or to disregard something for the moment. For example: "Please "put them aside" during the presentation so we can focus on the agenda."

What are some alternatives to "lay them aside"?

Alternatives to "lay them aside" include "set them aside", "put them aside", "leave them aside", or "shelve them temporarily". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "lie them aside" instead of "lay them aside"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is "lay them aside". "Lay" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, while "lie" is intransitive and refers to reclining or resting. Therefore, use "lay" when you mean to place or set something down.