Idioms

lay down the law

This page is about the idiom lay down the law

Meaning

If you lay down the law, you tell people what they should do in a forceful and stern way.

For example

  • After we lost our third game in a row, our coach got really angry and laid down the law and said we had to try harder or we'd be out the door.

  • Shelley's parents laid down the law after she got home late and grounded her for a month.

Quick Quiz

If someone lays down the law, they tell people what they have to do in a

a. quiet and gentle way

b. funny and lively way

c. serious and stern way
a) quiet and gentle way b) funny and lively way c) serious and stern way
lay down the law

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey