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

Dress warmly and sit or lie down Be patient and allow your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Instead, campers will have to crouch while moving around the interior and sit or lie down during their stay. —New Atlas, 29 Apr. 2025

In addition to postnasal drip, lying down affects airflow. —Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

The final image shows the couple lying down together, with Cibrian shirtless. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lie down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.