lie back
phrasal verb
lay back; lain back; lying back; lies back
: to lean backward from a sitting position to a flat position
The doctor asked him to lie back on the table.
Examples of lie back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the picture, a slightly wary — but still smirking — Ronson lies back in a hospital gown while giving the camera a thumbs-up.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
Although some people sleep with their heads on their desks or lying back in an office chair, try sprawling out on an office sofa and use the cushion for your head.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Now, instead of awaiting trial, guests lie back under warm towels, awaiting their turn for Katie’s expert touch.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Most of them are fishing, but one lies back, smoking.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Senior, lying back in his special chair with an edible, invites Matty to sit down and indulge with him.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Give it a little tug to fold out the queen-size mattress within, then lay back for a rest.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Find a quiet spot away from city lights, lay back, and enjoy the cosmos while sharing stories with friends.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, the pianist is front and center, improvising with energy and creativity, while the drummer and bassist lay back, providing the foundation.
—Brian Bartes, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
Although some people sleep with their heads on their desks or lying back in an office chair, try sprawling out on an office sofa and use the cushion for your head.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Now, instead of awaiting trial, guests lie back under warm towels, awaiting their turn for Katie’s expert touch.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Most of them are fishing, but one lies back, smoking.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Senior, lying back in his special chair with an edible, invites Matty to sit down and indulge with him.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Give it a little tug to fold out the queen-size mattress within, then lay back for a rest.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Find a quiet spot away from city lights, lay back, and enjoy the cosmos while sharing stories with friends.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, the pianist is front and center, improvising with energy and creativity, while the drummer and bassist lay back, providing the foundation.
—Brian Bartes, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20back. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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