law unto oneself
A person who does only what he wishes; a person who ignores or breaks the law when he doesn't like it.
Everybody in Germany feared Hitler because he was a law unto himself.
Mr. Brown told Johnny that he must stop trying to be a law unto himself.
lay about one
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 at one's door
To blame (something) on a person.
The failure of the plan was laid at his door.
lay down one's arms
To cease fighting; surrender.
The Civil War ended when the Confederate army finally laid down its arms.
lay down one's life
To sacrifice one's life for a cause or person; suffer martyrdom.
The early Christians often laid down their lives for their faith.
lay one's cards on the table
lay down one's cards
put one's cards on the table
To let someone know your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery or secrets.
In talking about buying the property, Peterson laid his cards on the table about his plans for it.
Some of the graduates of the school were unfriendly toward the new superintendent, but he put his cards on the table and won their support.
lay one's hand on
put one's hand on
To find; locate.
He keeps a file of letters so he can lay his hands on one whenever he needs it.
lay one's hands on
get one's hands on
To seize in order to punish or treat roughly.
If I ever lay my hands on that boy he'll be sorry.
To get possession of.
He was unable to lay his hands on a Model T Ford for the school play.
To find; locate.
He keeps a file of letters so he can lay his hands on one whenever he needs it.