lay one's account

lay one's account (third-person singular simple present lays one's account, present participle laying one's account, simple past and past participle laid one's account)

1. (now chiefly UK regional) To reckon with (also on or for) some future act or event; to expect, to plan (for). [from 17th c.]
   • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:

     But as the place of my abode was now discovered, I laid my account with having a visit from his employer: I therefore planted spies upon the road […] .

   • 1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England:

     The jurors must have laid their account with appearing before the Star-chamber.