lay waste something
(also lay waste to something) to destroy or damage something, especially in a war

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

lay waste
lay waste (to (something))
to destroy something.
Last night, rabbits laid waste to the lettuce I was going to pick today.

The army laid waste to the countryside as it moved south.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lay waste
destroy and leave something in ruins, wreck something
The army troops laid waste to the enemy territory.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lay waste
v. phr., literary To cause wide and great damage to; destroy and leave in ruins; wreck.
Enemy soldiers laid waste the land.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲