Laid waste
/leɪd weɪst/
verb phraseB2past tense phrase
Definition
The phrase "laid waste" means to cause great damage or destruction to something, often a place like land, buildings, or cities. After something is "laid waste," it is often empty, broken, or no longer useful. This expression is often used to describe damage caused by war, natural disasters, or other strong forces.
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See It in Action
To completely destroy or ruin a place or area
- •The invading army laid waste to the city.
- •The wildfire laid waste to thousands of acres of forest.
- •After the hurricane, the coastal town was laid waste.
To cause great damage in a more general or figurative sense (less common)
- •The economic crisis laid waste to many small businesses.
- •The scandal laid waste to his political career.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "laid waste" like "destroyed" (A2 word), but more complete and leaving nothing useful behind
- ✓Picture a town after a big fire or storm, where buildings are broken and the streets are empty and dirty
- ✓It's the feeling of sadness when you see a favorite park or home completely ruined and empty
- ✓Sounds like "laid waste" → imagine laying down (putting) waste (trash or ruined things) everywhere, nothing left to use
- ✓Think of stories or movies where a battlefield or village is left empty and broken after a war
- ✓NOT like "damaged" (which can be small or repairable), "laid waste" means very strong and total destruction
- ✓NOT like "cleaned" or "cleared" (which are positive), "laid waste" is negative and means harm and loss
- ✓NOT like "abandoned" (left empty but not destroyed), "laid waste" means the place is broken and ruined
Try Other Words
- •Destroyed: completely broken or ruined (Use when talking about damage without the strong image of emptiness)
- •Ruined: made something unusable or very bad (Use when emphasizing that something cannot be fixed)
- •Devastated: caused great damage and sadness (Use when focusing on emotional or physical damage)
- •Wrecked: badly damaged, especially buildings or vehicles (Use in informal contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "laid" (past tense of lay, meaning to put down) + "waste" (meaning useless material or destruction)
- •Etymology: From Old English "wæst" meaning growth or something that is lost or destroyed; "lay waste" means to put something into a state of ruin
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe land or places made empty or destroyed, often by armies or disasters
- •Modern usage: Common in literature, news, and history to describe total destruction of places or things
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of events or actions can cause a place to be laid waste?
•How does the phrase "laid waste" help you imagine the seriousness of destruction compared to just "damaged"?
Fill in the blanks
1.The invading forces laid waste to the village ___ ___ the battle, leaving no homes standing.
2.After the flood, the farmland was laid waste and could not ___ crops for years.
3.Unlike small damage, when a place is laid waste, the destruction is ___ and complete.
4.The phrase "laid waste" often describes damage caused by ___ or natural disasters.
5.When a city is laid waste, it is usually ___ and empty, not just abandoned.
6.The wildfire laid waste ___ thousands of acres, showing how quickly destruction can spread.
7.His careless actions laid waste to his reputation, meaning he lost ___ respect and trust.