Lay up Meaning in English
expression
Definition
'Lay up' means to put something away for future use, to prevent someone from doing their usual activities due to illness or injury, or in basketball, to make a close-range shot called a 'layup.'
Usage & Nuances
Common meanings include storing supplies ('lay up provisions'), being confined due to illness or injury ('was laid up in bed'), and a basketball shot. The usage is a bit formal/literary except in sports or historical contexts. In basketball, it's a technical term.
Example Sentences
We lay up extra food for the winter.
basic
He was laid up with a broken leg for months.
basic
She practiced her lay up after school every day.
basic
My grandfather used to lay up tools he might need someday.
natural
I got the flu and was laid up in bed all week.
natural
He finished the game with a perfect lay up under pressure.
natural