lie down
verb
lay down; lain down; lying down; lies down
1
: to submit meekly or abjectly to defeat, disappointment, or insult
—used chiefly in the phrase take (something) lying down
… if Walker does get the go-ahead to implement his anti-union law, the teachers in Madison aren't going to take it lying down, Matthew says. They may walk out on the job again.—
Matthew Rothschild
Matthew Rothschild2
: to fail to perform or to neglect one's part deliberately
—used chiefly in the phrase lie down on the job
While the Sanitation Department was accused of lying down on the job, the police were accused of harassment …—Walter Thabit
see also lie entry 1 sense 1b
Walter ThabitExamples of lie down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This arrangement allows the flashlight to be stuck to ferromagnetic surfaces either sticking straight out from them, or lying down flat.
—Ben Coxworth
july 17, New Atlas, 17 July 2025
Before assembling your tent, lay down a large tarp to ensure the floor area stays dry and doesn't rip on the ground.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
In the closing minutes of the second episode, Jess (Megan Stalter), the brash American protagonist of Netflix’s Too Much, lies down with the mix CD her new British beau, Felix (Will Sharpe), has made for her.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie down
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Ben Coxworth
july 17, New Atlas, 17 July 2025
Before assembling your tent, lay down a large tarp to ensure the floor area stays dry and doesn't rip on the ground.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
In the closing minutes of the second episode, Jess (Megan Stalter), the brash American protagonist of Netflix’s Too Much, lies down with the mix CD her new British beau, Felix (Will Sharpe), has made for her.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie down
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20down. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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