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take (something) lying down

idiom

: to accept (something bad, such as an insult or unfair treatment) without trying to fight against it
He vowed that he would not take the court's decision lying down.

Cite this Entry

“Take (something) lying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20%28something%29%20lying%20down. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

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