lay down the law
Meaning: To set rules and regulations.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Read (someone) the riot act implies more noisy anger against a past action than lay down the law, which implies stern instruction governing future behavior.
More idioms — Daily Life
- lay one's cards on the table — To be open and honest; to reveal everything.
- learn the ropes — To become familiar with a task or situation.
- leave someone in the lurch — To abandon someone to a difficult situation, forcing him or her to take all the responsib…
- leave someone left out in the cold — To shun someone; to exclude someone from a place or activity.
- leave someone high and dry — Abandoned or stranded; helpless.
- leave someone holding the bag — To leave somebody with unwanted responsibility.
More English idioms
- leave well enough alone — To accept a situation as it is; to avoid trying to improve a situation one's actions migh…
- let sleeping dogs lie — To not look for trouble or stir up a troublesome situation.
- letter perfect — Exactly right.
- life of riley — The good life; a comfortable life.
- the lion's share — The greater part; most.
- live and let live — To live without interference from other; to not interfere with the lives of others.
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