laugh up one's sleeve
To secretly laugh or be amused by something
English · United States 1398
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
laughing stock
Someone or something ridiculed or mocked by others
laughing tackle
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
laughter is the best medicine
Humor can heal emotional and mental distress
laundry list
A long list of items, tasks, or complaints
Laurel and Hardy
a famously comedic duo
law and order
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
lay an anchor to the windward
Take precautions against a potential problem
lay an egg
to fail or perform poorly
lay at someone's door
to blame someone for something
lay by the heels
to defeat or bring someone down
lay claim
To assert or declare ownership or right to something
lay down the law
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
lay down the marker
Set a standard or challenge for others to follow
lay eggs
to fail or produce nothing
lay eyes on
to see someone or something for the first time
lay hands on
to get or obtain something, often with difficulty
lay in lavender
to preserve or protect something carefully
lay it on
exaggerate or overstate something
lay it on thick
to exaggerate or overstate something
lay odds
to bet or predict that something will happen
lay of the land
The situation or circumstances
lay off
to stop bothering or criticizing someone
lay on
to apply or add something generously
lay on the line
risk something important
lay one's head
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
lay one's tongue to
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
lay over
to stop or stay somewhere for a short time
lay something at the feet of
blame or credit someone for something
lay store by
to consider something important or valuable
lay the groundwork
Prepare something for future development or action
lay the wood
to hit or beat someone or something forcefully
lay to rest
To resolve or put an end to something
lead by the nose
to control or influence someone completely
lead foot
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
lead nowhere
To fail to produce a useful result or outcome
lead on
to encourage or deceive someone into doing something
lead someone to the altar
to persuade or encourage someone to get married
lead someone up the garden path
To deceive or mislead someone
lead the line
to take the first position or lead a group
lead time
The time between initiating a process and its completion
lead up to
To precede or introduce something
lead with one's chin
To take a risk or act boldly, making oneself vulnerable
leading light
A prominent and influential person in a field
leap out
To suddenly become noticeable or striking
leap to mind
Come to mind suddenly and spontaneously
leaps and bounds
advancing rapidly or making great progress
Learn a language, and you will avoid a war (Arab proverb)
Knowing a language can help prevent conflicts
learn one's place
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
learn to walk before one can run
Master basic skills before attempting more complex tasks.
learned profession
A profession requiring advanced education and training
least said, soonest mended
It's best not to talk about a problem or mistake
leave a sour taste in one's mouth
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
leave at the door
Leave personal issues or emotions behind
leave behind
to move away from something or someone
leave for dust
To outdo or surpass someone or something completely
leave home
to depart from one's family or residence
leave it all on the field
Give maximum effort and energy to a task or activity
leave it alone
to stop interfering or bothering something
leave it at that
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.