English Dictionary

lay of the land

名詞

慣用表現

(idiomatic) The physical characteristics of the terrain or surrounding natural environment.

日本語の意味

土地の起伏や地形、天然の特性、周辺自然環境の物理的特徴 / 地域の地形や自然環境の概観 / その土地の形状や構造、自然環境の特徴

Before we built the hiking trail, the crew walked the area to get a good sense of the lay of the land.

ハイキングコースを造る前に、チームはその地域を歩いて地形の様子をよく把握した。

意味（1）

(idiomatic) The physical characteristics of the terrain or surrounding natural environment.

I did not know the exact route, but steered by the lay of the land, as I do in Boston.

意味（2）

(idiomatic) The trends, feelings, intentions, and other factors influencing a strategic, political, or social situation.

I'll feel the pulse of my friends and yours, and when we get the lay of the land, the affair can be accomplished much more easily.