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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Meaning of "lay something off"

Hi,

What does this sentence mean?

Don't lay this off on me, you sneaky son of a beach !!!

I'm guessing it means that "don't try to make me feel/look responsible for this", but I'm not certain

Thanks !
  

Top answer

That's how I would understand it, but the expression that's more familiar to me is "lay this on me". Unless it's been deliberately sanitised, it should be "son of a ***** ".

— Mr Wordy

  • That's how I would understand it, but the expression that's more familiar to me is "lay this on me".
  • Unless it's been deliberately sanitised, it should be "son of a ***** ".
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5 Answers
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That's how I would understand it, but the expression that's more familiar to me is "lay this on me".

Unless it's been deliberately sanitised, it should be "son of a *****".
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Mr WordyUnless it's been deliberately sanitised, it should be "son of a ***".

Hmm. I see the problem. That should reach b-i-t-c-h.
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Hi,

I think this expression probably originates in the bookmaker's practise of 'laying off a bet'.

A few details are given here.

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CliveI think this expression probably originates in the bookmaker's practise of 'laying off a bet'.

I've never heard "lay off on" used in this sense, only "lay off with", though I suppose "on" is a feasible variant. Also, if "lay that off on me" is supposed to mean the same as "lay that on me" then the target is a victim, whereas "laying off
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Thank you, guys !

That's a good deal of new ideas as regards "lay off", I appreciate your chipping in !
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