lie down

verb

lay down; lain down; lying down; lies down

Definition of lie down

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