How to Pronounce "lay to waste"
expression
LAY tuh WAYST
lay TOO WAYST
Definition
To completely destroy, ruin, or devastate something, leaving nothing useful or intact behind.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈɫeɪ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈweɪst
British English
lˈeɪ/ /tˈuː/ /wˈeɪst
Simplified Pronunciation
US
LAY tuh WAYST
UK
lay TOO WAYST
Listen in Context
The hurricane laid to waste the entire coastal village.
The invading army laid to waste the countryside.
Years of pollution laid to waste the river.
The wildfire laid to waste acres of forest overnight.