Meaning trap
lay out
arrange or plan something
to organize, explain, or plan something clearly, often step by step.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to organize, explain, or plan something clearly, often step by step.
Another meaning of 'lay out' is 'spread things out so you can see them'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She laid out her plan for the new project during the meeting.
In my opinion, it's important to lay out your main arguments before you start writing an essay.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He laid out clearly his argument.
Say: He laid out his argument clearly. / He laid his argument out clearly.
Keep 'lay out' together before the object, or put the adverb at the end — not between.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Lay out' is the natural verb for setting something out clearly. 'Delineates in comprehensive detail' is overblown.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
lay out + plan
- the plan
- your case
- the options
- the steps
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- lay out (spread things out so you can see them) — Another meaning of 'lay out' is 'spread things out so you can see them'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.