the lay of the land

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So investors may have been waiting to evaluate the lay of the land.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Like many, I’ve previously winced at hop-on, hop-off city bus tours, but around $29 for a 60-minute ride seemed worth it to get the lay of the land in this densely populated place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

The European team could suss out the lay of the land at Bethpage Black - a daunting course which has hosted major championships - and work out the all-important partnerships.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

It really gives you the lay of the land.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2025

I could tell it would take a while to learn the lay of the land.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool