1 B2 idiomatic informal
To attack someone physically with force.
"Three men laid into him before bystanders managed to pull them apart."
inseparable
lay into
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To attack someone physically or to criticise them very harshly.
In plain English
Hit someone hard, or say very angry and mean things to them.
What does "lay into" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To criticise or scold someone very severely and angrily.
"The manager laid into the team after their poor performance in the first half."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To eat or consume something enthusiastically and with great energy.
"The kids laid into the birthday cake the moment it was cut."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lay (strike) blows into someone.
Actually means
Hit someone hard, or say very angry and mean things to them.
Usage tip
Used in both physical and verbal contexts. When used for verbal attack, it implies a sustained, forceful, and often public criticism. Can also describe eating food enthusiastically. Informal in all uses.
Words that pair with "lay into"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
critic boss opponent food crowd press
How to conjugate "lay into"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lay into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lays into
he/she/it
Past simple
laid into
yesterday
Past participle
laid into
have + pp
-ing form
laying into
continuous
Hear "lay into" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lay into" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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