The correct spelling for "wast unable to lay hands on" is actually "was unable to lay hands on". The word "wast" is an archaic form of "was" that is no longer used in modern English. The correct pronunciation for "was" is /wʌz/, while "unable" is pronounced as /ʌnˈeɪbəl/. "Lay" is pronounced as /leɪ/, and "hands" is pronounced as /hændz/. The phrase means that someone was not able to find or obtain something they were looking for.
The expression "was unable to lay hands on" refers to the inability or failure to obtain or find someone or something. It conveys a circumstance where an individual is incapable of physically acquiring or locating an item, person, or object. The phrase integrates two main elements: the inability to "lay hands on" and the preceding verb "was unable."
The phrase "lay hands on" signifies having physical contact with someone or something, often to claim or take possession of it. It implies the act of physically acquiring or capturing an item or locating a person. The term "unable" highlights the incapacity or lack of ability to accomplish a specific action or objective. By combining these elements, the phrase suggests that the subject encountered obstacles or difficulties when trying to achieve their goal. It indicates their failure to attain the desired outcome or fulfillment due to their incapability of securing or finding what they were looking for.
Overall, when someone states that they "were unable to lay hands on" something, it primarily means that they faced a challenging situation, hindering their ability to physically grasp or obtain a particular item or locate an individual. It emphasizes a sense of frustration, disappointment, or unfulfilled desire resulting from the inability to achieve their objective.