dressed to lay waste

[nile84]

Hi

Friends, I searched the meaning of "lay waste" and I know it means "to destroy."
But here it says the woman is dressed to lay waste; does it mean to "attract everybody's attention?"

Caleb showed up with Haya, somehow dressed to lay waste in a simple black cotton sheath dress and black flats, black hair swept back off the curve of her elegant neck in an updo...

(Since We Fell - Dennis Lehane)

 

[boozer]

Yes, it would be a variant expression of 'dressed to kill', meaning 'dressed to impress' strongly, etc.

 

[e2efour]

 

[nile84]

Yes, it would be a variant expression of 'dressed to kill', meaning 'dressed to impress' strongly, etc.

Thanks, boozer.