lie on/upon
phrasal verb
lay on/upon; lain on/upon; lying on/upon; lies on/upon
: to affect (someone) in a specified way
Sorrow lay heavily on him.
Guilt lies on his conscience.
She keeps herself healthy so her years lie lightly upon her.
Examples of lie on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Up first is what Santillan calls the reading room, where classic graffiti, Playboy, film and art magazines lie on the floor or are positioned across the wall.
—
Amy Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
But immigration law experts have said that the number of people who might lie on forms is very small compared to the millions of people who are naturalized or receive green cards each year.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
Both victims were forced to lie on the kitchen floor, officials said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Habib Balian, speaking for the D.A.’s office, argued that the brothers have never admitted that their self-defense claim was fabricated, or taken responsibility for repeatedly lying about the murders and recruiting their friends to lie on their behalf in court.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie on/upon
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Amy Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
But immigration law experts have said that the number of people who might lie on forms is very small compared to the millions of people who are naturalized or receive green cards each year.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
Both victims were forced to lie on the kitchen floor, officials said.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Habib Balian, speaking for the D.A.’s office, argued that the brothers have never admitted that their self-defense claim was fabricated, or taken responsibility for repeatedly lying about the murders and recruiting their friends to lie on their behalf in court.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie on/upon
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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