laying waste

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Explanation of "Laying Waste"

Definition:
"Laying waste" is a phrase that means to destroy or ruin something completely. It often refers to a place or a thing that has been damaged so badly that it is no longer usable or livable.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "laying waste" when you want to describe a situation where something has been wrecked or ruined, often by force or violence.
• It is typically used in a serious context, often related to war, natural disasters, or severe damage.

Example Sentence:

• "The hurricane laid waste to the coastal town, leaving many homes destroyed and families displaced."

Advanced Usage:

In literature or formal writing, "laying waste" can also be used metaphorically to describe the destruction of ideas, plans, or hopes. For example: - "The scandal laid waste to his political career."

Word Variants:

• Lay waste (verb): This is the base form and is used in the same way. For instance, "The army laid waste to the enemy's territory."
• Waste (noun): The result of laying waste can be referred to as "waste," meaning the remains or destruction left behind, e.g., "The waste from the battle was evident everywhere."

Different Meanings:

While "laying waste" primarily refers to destruction, the word "waste" can also refer to: - Something that is not used effectively (e.g., "Don't waste your time.") - Unwanted materials (e.g., "household waste").

Synonyms:

• Destroy
• Ruin
• Devastate
• Annihilate
• Demolish

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms that match "laying waste," here are a few related phrases: - "Leave in ruins": To abandon a place or situation that has been destroyed. - "Rip apart": To destroy something violently.

Conclusion:

"Laying waste" is a powerful phrase that conveys a sense of total destruction. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to describe the severe impact of actions or events.

Academic

Noun

1. destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined

Synonyms

• ruin
• ruining
• ruination
• wrecking