lay up

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to accumulate or to store something for safekeeping. For example, "We should lay up enough supplies to get us through the winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

So I decided to lay up to a nice yardage".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a difficult lay up if the fairway is missed.

The Guardian - Sport

He's forced to lay up, wedging out of the rough.

The Guardian - Sport

Samples reinforced with peach palm powder and weave were processed by hand lay up technique.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (KJV).

Wikipedia

Do you try to drive the green, or lay up?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

U.S. leads, 6-2, toanks to a Charles hook, Catchings lay-up and a lay-up off an inbounds steal.

The New York Times

Then Pierce hit a reverse lay-up.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm sensing sensible lay-up ahead!

The Guardian - Sport

Come on, the lay-up comment was unfair!

The New Yorker

He also swatted away one of Howard's lay-up attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay up" in the context of golf, ensure it's clear you're referring to a strategic decision to play short of a hazard, not an injury or inactivity.

Common error

Avoid using "lay up" interchangeably with similar-sounding phrases like "lie up". "Lay up" has specific meanings related to storing, disabling, or a basketball shot, whereas "lie up" generally refers to resting or waiting.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "lay up" functions as a versatile term with multiple meanings. It can denote accumulating or storing something, disabling or taking something out of service, or executing a specific shot in basketball. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "lay up" presents multiple meanings, encompassing actions like storing, disabling, or performing a layup shot in basketball. The term's versatility is supported by its usage across various domains, including news, science, and general knowledge, as confirmed by Ludwig. When using "lay up", consider the context to ensure clarity, especially in sports-related scenarios where it refers to strategic plays or in technical contexts where it indicates something out of service. Remember to distinguish it from similar-sounding phrases to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform a layup

Specifies the basketball maneuver, directly relating to the sporting context of "lay up".

execute a layup shot

More descriptive version for a specific type of basketball shot and a common variant of "lay up".

take out of service

Directly mirrors the meaning of removing something from active use or operation.

put aside

Highlights setting something apart or reserving it for a specific purpose later on.

store away

Emphasizes the act of putting something in a safe or secure place for future use.

accumulate

Focuses on the act of gathering or collecting something over time, similar to the storing aspect of "lay up".

cease operation

Highlights the termination of active service or functioning, similar to the concept of being "laid up".

disable

Addresses the aspect of rendering something or someone unable to function, aligning with one meaning of "lay up".

deactivate

Indicates taking something out of service or making it inactive, paralleling the meaning of "lay up" in certain contexts.

conserve

Highlights preserving something from depletion, relating to the 'storing up' aspect of "lay up".

FAQs

What does "lay up" mean in golf?

In golf, "lay up" refers to intentionally playing a shot short of a hazard or to a more favorable position, rather than attempting a more difficult or risky shot.

How is "lay up" used in basketball?

In basketball, a "lay up" is a shot taken close to the basket, usually driving towards the basket and gently placing the ball off the backboard and into the hoop.

What are some synonyms for "lay up" when it means to store something?

Alternatives for "lay up" in the context of storing include "accumulate", "store away", or "put aside".

When is it appropriate to use "lay up" to mean disable or take out of service?

This usage of "lay up" is appropriate when referring to something being temporarily or permanently taken out of operation due to damage, maintenance, or other reasons, similar to phrases like "deactivate" or "take out of service".