Meaning of "lay out the rationale"

Question

Hi,I've come across this phrase:Bush laid out the rationale for the Plan in a speech in Aspen, ColoradoDoes the boldened part simply mean that Bush expounded the reason behind the plan? If not, then what does it mean?Thanks!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Pretty much.

But sometimes "rational" is intended to mean a dummy justification. (the official excuse / the cover story)

As an aside, I'm not sure that "expounded" is transitive, but I guess it could be.
Edit. Yeah, it's both. I've never used it that way. I say, "expound on something."
But my Am Htg lists the transitive meaning first, if that means anything.

CalifJim · Answer

MrPernicketyBush laid out the rationale for the Plan in a speech in Aspen, Colorado

Does the boldened part simply mean that Bush expounded the reason behind the plan?

Yes. I would say so. I would take it to mean that he explained the reason for the plan.

CJ

MrPernickety · Answer

Many thanks, guys !

AvangiAs an aside, I'm not sure that "expounded" is transitive, but I guess it could be.

Edit. Yeah, it's both. I've never used it that way. I say, "expound on something."

But my Am Htg lists the transitive meaning first, if that means anything.

I see your point. In fact, when I came across it for the first time and looked it up, it was listed as both - transitive and intransitive, and I could not wrap my head around when it is used as transitive or intransitive. In fact, I was intending to ask about this verb some day in the future, but you beat me to it and expounded on its usage

Thanks a lot.

PS: by the way, do you use another similar verb - expatiate - in the same way?

E.g., do you only say "he expatiated on the subject", but not "he expatiated the subject"?

Thanks !

Avangi · Answer

For some reason, "expatiate" isn't one of my words; but my dictionary lists only the intransitive usage.
A friend of mine used to use "expound," by the way, to refer to the typical improvised jazz solo, which exercise he chose not to indulge in. "I don't care to expound." (Hmmm, "indulge" is another one. He indulged his habit.)

Revisiting the thread, I realize that a sitting president would not lay out a cover story as such in a public speech. I was originally thinking in terms of a private meeting. Carless of me.

MrPernickety · Answer

AvangiRevisiting the thread, I realize that a sitting president would not lay out a cover story as such in a public speech. I was originally thinking in terms of a private meeting.

That figures ! A cover story should be kept under wraps and the sitting president should not leak it to the public, or else he will suffer the consequences.

CalifJim · Answer

MrPernicketydo you only say "he expatiated on the subject", but not "he expatiated the subject"?

OOF! Not one of my words either. That's a million dollar word! But the way I understand the word, you probably wouldn't say that the president expatiated on anything, except to be critical. (Yes, it's expatiate on something.) That's because it would mean that he kept on rambling on and on, wandering around in his speech rather than making his point.

CJ

Meaning of "lay out the rationale"

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