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

Take your time to switch positions from lying down to sitting or sitting to standing. —Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2026

Just that afternoon, the elder Rojas had sent his son a photo of himself lying down in bed, ready to watch the game. —Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

The suspect denied ownership of the tent, but he was found lying down inside it on March 7, when sheriff’s investigators came looking for him. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026

However, the nonprofit warns that a bonked chick may lie down and assume a submissive stance with its head down, in a movement similar to holding up a white flag. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026

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.