lie-down

[ lahy-doun ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a nap.

lie down

verb

1. to place oneself or be in a prostrate position in order to rest or sleep
2. to accept without protest or opposition (esp in the phrases lie down under, take something lying down )

noun

1. a rest

Word History and Origins

Origin of lie-down¹

First recorded in 1830–40; noun use of verb phrase lie down

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

My doctor insisted that once I filed this piece I lie down on my bed and not get out.

From The Daily Beast

She literally had to lie down in between sessions in order to recover her strength.

From The Daily Beast

In her semifinal match, he joked “Now you can get to lie down for a while” in the post-game chat.

From The Daily Beast

Lie Down with Lions (1985) gave a shoutout to gays in a laundry list of human rights to worry about.

From The Daily Beast

They encountered two genuinely tough Brooklyn gunmen in the lobby who ordered them to lie down.

From The Daily Beast

The hut was barely high enough to let him sit up, and long enough to let him lie down—not to stretch out.

From Project Gutenberg

He ate as many as he wanted and then, as he always felt sleepy after he had eaten, he thought he would lie down and have a nap.

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner, retire for an hour to your own room, that your hostess may lie down if she is accustomed to do so.

From Project Gutenberg

The question between the Girondist and the Jacobin was, "Who shall lie down on the guillotine?"

From Project Gutenberg

And say: Why did thy mother the lioness lie down among the lions, and bring up her whelps in the midst of young lions?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calm
• loosen up
• recline
• sit back
• soften
• unwind