lay the first stone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This is the government and legislature that have the ambition to lay the first stone and start building this blessed project," said Matteo Salvini, the infrastructure minister and head of the League coalition party.

From Reuters • Nov. 22, 2022

Thus late in life did Defoe lay the first stone of his literary reputation.

From Daniel Defoe by Minto, William

I called at seven a.m. on David Mocatta, the architect, and informed him that we should lay the first stone at eight o'clock.

From Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume I Comprising Their Life and Work as Recorded in Their Diaries From 1812 to 1883 by Loewe, Louis

But there were still such multitudes, that it was with great difficulty I got through them, to lay the first stone.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 10 — Lives and Letters by Mee, Arthur

The chaplain and his wife were already at work among them, and their little church only waiting for the bride to lay the first stone.

From Beechcroft at Rockstone by Yonge, Charlotte Mary