Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

get the lay of the land

idiom

/ɡɛt ðə leɪ əv ðə lænd/

Definition

To understand the general situation or the details about a particular area or context.

Examples

Before making any major decisions, it’s important to get the lay of the land regarding the company’s current position.
When moving to a new city, take some time to get the lay of the land to feel more at home.
As a new recruit, he spent his first week getting the lay of the land to better understand the team dynamics.

Meaning

This phrase is often used to describe the act of familiarizing oneself with a new environment or situation, allowing a person to navigate it more effectively.