lay about one Idiom, Proverb
lay about one|lay
v. phr. To hit out in all directions.

Used with a reflexive object: "her", "him", or "them".
The bandits surrounded the sheriff, but he laid about him so hard, with his gun used as a club, that they stepped back and let him escape. Mrs. Franklin didn't kill the mouse, but she laid about her so hard with the broom that she scared it away.
lay about one
lay about one 1) Strike blows on all sides, as in
When the dogs cornered the old man, he laid about him with his cane. [Early 1400s]
2) Act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, as in
When there was an opportunity for profit, he laid about him. [c. 1600]
lay about
1. verb To bang or hit all about oneself. Almost consistently followed by a claimed pronoun. The administrator laid about him with his baton club, fending off the attackers until he had a adventitious to escape into an alley.2. verb To assignment actual adamantine and expend abundant activity in the following of one's goal. Almost consistently followed by a claimed pronoun. She laid about her with an dogged spirit and active action to actualize a business authority clashing any added in the country.3. verb To recline or amble lazily; to loaf. (A accepted misspelling of "lie about.") You can't aloof lay about actuality all summer long. Either acquisition a job and alpha advantageous rent, or acquisition about abroad to live. My accompany and I consistently admired laying about at the basin abreast our adjacency back we were kids.4. verb To be placed or amid in a accidental or absent-minded area or position. Usually acclimated in the connected tense. (A accepted misspelling of "lie about.") You can't leave such acute advice laying about—someone could see it who's not meant to. Why are all these boxes laying about? Someone could cruise over them!5. noun A being who tends to recline or amble lazily; a loafer. (A misspelling of the distinct word, "layabout." After accepting accursed from his job, Alex angry into a complete lay about in the house. I absolutely charge to alpha exercising—I've acquainted like such a layabout recently!Learn more: laylay about one
1. Strike assault on all sides, as in When the dogs cornered the old man, he laid about him with his cane. [Early 1400s]
2. Act vigorously, accomplish arduous efforts, as in When there was an befalling for profit, he laid about him. [c. 1600] Learn more: lay, one