lying



lie before (someone or something)

1. To physically exist in front or ahead of someone or something. As we trudged through the desert, it looked as though a magnificent oasis lay before us, but it was just a mirage, some accursed trick of the sun. Some worrisome footprints lie before our front door—I hope we've not been burgled!
2. To be or exist in the future of someone or something. One should never presume to know what may lie before them, as life is far often more fickle than that.
See also: before, lie

lie at (one's) door

To be one's responsibility. Typically said of something negative. I'm the coach, and I called a bad play, so any blame for this loss lies at my door.
See also: door, lie

lie down

to recline. Why don't you lie down for a while? I need to lie down and have a little snooze.
See also: down, lie

take something lying down

Fig. to endure something unpleasant without fighting back. He insulted me publicly. You don't expect me to take that lying down, do you? I'm not the kind of person who'll take something like that lying down.
See also: down, lying, take

not take something lying down

to refuse to be treated badly by someone He can't just order you about like that. Surely you're not going to take that lying down!
See also: down, lying, take

lie down

Also, lie down on the job. Be remiss or lazy. For example, They fired Max because he was always lying down on the job. This expression alludes to lying down in the sense of "resting." [Early 1900s]
See also: down, lie

take lying down

Submit to an insult, rebuke, or other harsh treatment without resisting, as in He won't take that snub lying down. This idiom uses lying down in the sense of "passively." [Late 1800s] Also see take it, def. 2.
See also: down, lying, take

lie down

v.
To place the body in a flat, horizontal position; recline: The dog usually lies down in front of the fireplace. After lunch, I lay down under a tree and fell asleep. I had just lain down when the phone rang.
See also: down, lie

take lying down

Informal
To submit to harsh treatment with no resistance: refused to take the snub lying down.
See also: down, lying, take

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jovan-Serbian, Macedonian
Jocelinezho-sə-LEENFrench
Aulay-Scottish
Nanaea-Near Eastern Mythology (Latinized)
ShaylynSHAY-linEnglish (Rare)
Leifur-Icelandic