1.
If you lay something down , you put it down, usually because you have finished using it.
Daniel finished the article and laid the newspaper down on his desk...
She laid down her knife and fork and pushed her plate away.
PHRASAL VERB : V n P , V P n (not pron)
2.
If rules or people in authority lay down what people should do or must do, they officially state what they should or must do.
Taxis must conform to the rigorous standards laid down by the police.
= set down
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron)
3.
If someone lays down their weapons, they stop fighting a battle or war and make peace.
The drug-traffickers have offered to lay down their arms.
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron)