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
The way forward is clear for Hamas: lay down your weapons, release the hostages and leave Gaza behind to be rebuilt.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
At the splash pad, Weber heard shouts and turned to see an approximately 10-foot ring of fire and a person lying down in the middle of it, motionless and burning.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2025
Wedding Anniversary with Wife Christine Marinoni A third shot showed Nixon making a heart with her hands for the camera, while her wife smiled beside her as the couple lay down on some cushions.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 3 June 2025
What to do instead: Wait to lie down for at least two to three hours after eating, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie down
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
At the splash pad, Weber heard shouts and turned to see an approximately 10-foot ring of fire and a person lying down in the middle of it, motionless and burning.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2025
Wedding Anniversary with Wife Christine Marinoni A third shot showed Nixon making a heart with her hands for the camera, while her wife smiled beside her as the couple lay down on some cushions.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 3 June 2025
What to do instead: Wait to lie down for at least two to three hours after eating, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 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 9 Jun. 2025.
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