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Difference between Lay of the land and Lay the land

lay of the land —(also: lie of the land) the state of affairs:

  • I think my success was due to my waiting and not rushing in before I saw the lay of the land.

lay the land—(Nautical) sail out to such a distance as to lose sight of land:

  • We found ourselves to be at the distance of seven leagues to the westward of the island. About noon that day we had laid the land.