lie down

verb

lay down; lain down; lying down; lies down

intransitive verb

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

2

: 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

Examples of lie down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With their flat back, the earbuds are optimized for comfort even when lying down or leaning against the window of an airplane. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

In the video, Covington lies down on her bed with her eyes closed, dressed in jeans and a sweater, holding a pumpkin in her arms. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2024

Plant it down, lie down, go down into the depths of the ocean. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2024

Sit or lie down in a relaxed position, close your eyes, and start by focusing on your breath. —Alexandria Jones-Patten, Phd, Health, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.