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
And this will be a sign unto you: the lamb will lie down with the lion.
—Bruce Headlam, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The fight ended with both men injured and Gray retreating through an alley to lie down in a yard on Russell Street, prosecutors said.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 13 Apr. 2024
Will the citizenry loyal to the federal government lay down arms now that their leader is dead?
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Apr. 2024
Some lay down for a minute before hopping up to give the next person a glimpse.
—K.c. Alfred, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Minerals like calcium are like bricks that lay down the foundation of that building.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Before resting in a bed, Cloud always takes the time to rack his gear before lying down.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
On the truck's tailgate is a rendering meant to look as if the president is hog-tied and lying down in the bed of the pick-up.
—Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2024
The play gym features three stages of learning (for lying down, tummy time, and sitting up), five repositionable toys, two maracas, and a machine-washable mat (which adults will appreciate).
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Bruce Headlam, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The fight ended with both men injured and Gray retreating through an alley to lie down in a yard on Russell Street, prosecutors said.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 13 Apr. 2024
Will the citizenry loyal to the federal government lay down arms now that their leader is dead?
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Apr. 2024
Some lay down for a minute before hopping up to give the next person a glimpse.
—K.c. Alfred, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Minerals like calcium are like bricks that lay down the foundation of that building.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Before resting in a bed, Cloud always takes the time to rack his gear before lying down.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
On the truck's tailgate is a rendering meant to look as if the president is hog-tied and lying down in the bed of the pick-up.
—Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2024
The play gym features three stages of learning (for lying down, tummy time, and sitting up), five repositionable toys, two maracas, and a machine-washable mat (which adults will appreciate).
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lie down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lie down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20down. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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