lay for

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To wait (for someone) in order to surprise or attack them.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The sheriff's department sent some officers to lay for him.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “lay for” mean?

To wait (for someone) in order to surprise or attack them.

Is “lay for” formal or informal?

lay for is generally slang.