the lie of the land

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

the ˌlie of the ˈland idiom
(BrE) (NAmE the ˌlay of the ˈland)
1. the way the land in an area is formed and what physical characteristics it has
•The castle was hidden by the lie of the land.
2. the way a situation is now and how it is likely to develop
•Check out the lie of the land before you make a decision.
Main entry: ↑lie_idiom