Is "lay sb by" common in spoken English?

It is more common in British English and sounds formal or old-fashioned.

Can I use "lay sb by" with any object?

Usually, it is used with money, food, or supplies.

Is "lay sb by" separable?

Yes, when using pronouns, the object can come between "lay" and "by.".

What is the difference between "lay sb by" and "put by"?

"Lay sb by" means giving someone else something to save, while "put by" usually means saving for oneself.

Lay sb by Meaning / Examples / How to Use

Mar 9, 2025

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by

Michael Carter

in English Phrasal Verbs

What Does “Lay sb by” Mean?

“Lay sb by” means to provide someone with something to keep for future use, often for emergencies or special occasions.

Introduction

The phrase “lay sb by” is a somewhat old-fashioned phrasal verb used mainly in British English. It means to supply or give someone something that they can save or keep for later. People often use it when talking about setting aside money, food, or other items for future use or emergencies. Understanding the lay sb by meaning helps learners recognize how to talk about saving or reserving things for someone. This phrase is less common in everyday speech but still appears in literature and formal contexts. Knowing how to use “lay sb by” correctly can improve your English, especially in writing or in conversations about preparation and care.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: lay sb by (lay somebody by)
Type: transitive
Level: B2
Short meaning: to provide or supply someone with something to keep for later

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Lay sb by” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it needs a direct object (sb = somebody) and usually the thing being given is expressed as well.

Structure: lay + somebody + by + something
Example: She laid him by some money for emergencies.
The phrasal verb is separable when the object is a pronoun: lay him by, but generally inseparable with nouns.

How to Use “Lay sb by”?

You use “lay sb by” when you want to say that someone is given or provided something to keep or save. This can be money, food, or other supplies. It often implies careful preparation for future needs. The phrase is mostly used in British English and can sound formal or old-fashioned.

Example contexts include parents laying by clothes for their children or someone laying by money for a rainy day.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “lay sb by”:

My grandmother laid me by some warm clothes before winter started.
They laid the family by enough food to last the week.
He laid his son by some money to help him with university expenses.
She always tries to lay herself by a little extra cash in case of emergencies.
Before the storm, the community laid the elderly by with supplies.

These examples show how “lay sb by” is used in everyday situations to mean saving or providing something useful for later.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “lay sb by” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly in sentences.

Incorrect: I laid by some money for me.
Correct: I laid myself by some money.
Incorrect: She laid by him food.
Correct: She laid him by some food.
Incorrect: They laid by some money. (missing object)
Correct: They laid us by some money.

Remember that “lay sb by” requires a person (sb) as the indirect object before “by” and the thing provided after.

Differences / Synonyms

Many phrasal verbs relate to saving or setting aside, but “lay sb by” is unique because it focuses on providing someone else with something to keep.

Lay sb by – to supply someone with something to save or keep.
Put by – to save something, usually money, for future use (often used without an indirect object).
Set aside – to reserve something for a specific purpose.
Stock up – to buy a large amount of something to keep for later.

Unlike “put by” or “set aside,” which focus on saving for oneself, “lay sb by” always involves giving or providing for another person.

Common Collocations

Here are common objects used with “lay sb by,” showing what is often provided or saved:

Money: saving cash for emergencies or future needs.
Food: supplying meals or groceries to keep.
Clothes: providing garments for future use.
Supplies: general goods like medicine or tools.
Fuel: storing petrol or coal for later use.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of lay sb by:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “lay sb by”:

Anna: Have you laid the kids by some warm clothes for winter?

Mark: Yes, I bought jackets and boots last week to lay them by.

Anna: That’s good. It’s better to be prepared early.

Practice

Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “lay sb by”:

She always ______ her children ______ extra food during holidays.
We should ______ ourselves ______ some money for unexpected expenses.
Before the trip, he ______ his family ______ enough fuel.

FAQs

What does “lay sb by” mean? It means to provide someone with something to keep or save for later.
Is “lay sb by” common in spoken English? It is more common in British English and sounds formal or old-fashioned.
Can I use “lay sb by” with any object? Usually, it is used with money, food, or supplies.
Is “lay sb by” separable? Yes, when using pronouns, the object can come between “lay” and “by.”
What is the difference between “lay sb by” and “put by”? “Lay sb by” means giving someone else something to save, while “put by” usually means saving for oneself.