Meaning of the word "lay hold of" in English

What does "lay hold of" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

lay hold of

US /leɪ hoʊld ʌv/
UK /leɪ hoʊld ɒv/

Idiom

1.

to get or take something, especially with some difficulty

Example:
I need to lay hold of that report before the meeting.
It's hard to lay hold of good quality fresh produce in this area.
2.

to understand or grasp something, often an idea or concept

Example:
It took him a while to lay hold of the new concept.
She couldn't quite lay hold of what he was trying to explain.