laying around

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Informal, non-standard way of saying lying around: resting lazily, or being left somewhere untidily, unused or easy to find.

   Grammar: Follows be or a verb like leave: shoes laying around the hallway. Standard English prefers lying around.

   Patterns

   • be laying around
   • leave something laying around

   There are old magazines laying around all over the house.

   He spent the weekend just laying around in his pajamas.

   Don't leave your phone laying around where the kids can grab it.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Informal, non-standard way of saying that something is available and spare, so it is handy to use if you need it.

   Grammar: Often follows have: do you have any tape laying around?

   Patterns

   • have something laying around

   Do you have a spare charger laying around?

   I think there's a screwdriver laying around in the garage.

Common combinations

leave something laying around

Please don't leave your tools laying around.

just laying around

The money was just laying around on the table.

have something laying around

Does anyone have a ruler laying around?

laying around the house

He spends his days laying around the house.

Synonyms and how they differ

lying around

This is the standard, correct form and is the one to use in exams and formal writing.

lounging

Lounging suggests relaxing in a comfortable way and has no connection with objects being left about.

loafing

Loafing is stronger and implies idleness or avoiding work.

Opposites

Word family

lie verb

to rest flat, or to be in a place; past tense lay, -ing form lying

lay verb

to put something down carefully; past tense laid, -ing form laying

Commonly confused: laying around or lying around?

Practice

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