how the land lies

what the state of affairs is

事態(tài)，形勢

let's keep it to ourselves until we see how the land lies.

我們看清事態(tài)之前先對此事保密。

in the land of the living

(humorous)alive or awake

(幽默)活著，醒著

the land of the free

the United States of America

自由的國度（指美國）

the land of Nod

(humorous)a state of sleep

(幽默)睡著，夢鄉(xiāng)

land (或 fall) on one's feet

have good luck or success

走運，成功

after some ups and downs he has finally landed on his feet.

經過一些曲折，他最終成功。

live off the land

live on whatever food one can obtain by hunting, gathering, or subsistence farming

靠山吃山，靠水吃水

land up

reach a place or destination

到達

the ship landed up on the south coast of Devon.

船到達德文郡南岸。

I landed up in prison.

我入獄了。

(land up with)end up with (a certain, usually unwelcome, situation)

以（某種不利情況）告終

I landed up with three broken ribs.

我以折斷三根肋骨為結局。