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

Trump is not likely to take this lying down. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

Slather on some clay, lay down, and bake until hardened. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026

Those who want to be able to lie down horizontally during the 48-hour journey will want to book a Superliner Roomette, Superliner Bedroom, or Superliner Bedroom Suite. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026

The new ordinance, spearheaded by Mayor Kevin McCarty and which took effect in August, prohibits people from sitting, lying down or sleeping outside City Hall during all hours of the day. —Mathew Miranda january 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 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.