lie down
verb
lay down; lain down; lying down; lies 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
Matthew Rothschild2
: 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
Walter ThabitExamples of lie down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The finale fast forwards to an obscured view of the never-remarried, aged Spencer lying down by his wife's grave.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Exhausted and bereft, Spencer lies down next to his wife and son.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
In a dramatic scene, thousands of police descended on his home and were met with crowds of the impeached president's backers, including some who lay down in front of police vehicles in an attempt to block authorities from reaching the residence.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
Avoid areas with trees or vehicles, and lie down to protect yourself from flying debris.
Safety in large buildings: Large buildings like malls or theaters are at risk during a tornado due to their roof structure.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie down
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Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Exhausted and bereft, Spencer lies down next to his wife and son.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
In a dramatic scene, thousands of police descended on his home and were met with crowds of the impeached president's backers, including some who lay down in front of police vehicles in an attempt to block authorities from reaching the residence.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
Avoid areas with trees or vehicles, and lie down to protect yourself from flying debris.
Safety in large buildings: Large buildings like malls or theaters are at risk during a tornado due to their roof structure.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie down
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20down. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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