laid up

Idioms  

1. Also, sick in bed . Ill and confined to bed, as in I was laid up for a week with the flu , or Sally can't come outside; she's sick in bed . [Mid-1500s]

2. Put in a safe place, as in The ship was laid up in dock with engine trouble , or The hikers were laid up in a cave during the storm . [Mid-1600s] Also see under lay in ; lay someone low .

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Example Sentences

While I was laid up, I spent time reading on social media about former colleagues who were publicizing new books, speaking at conferences and otherwise staying in the limelight—and I felt envious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Insurance companies don’t pay primary-care doctors to see patients in hospital; doctors might not know if a patient is laid up with a broken hip or beginning cancer treatment.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

"I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years...thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told the crowd.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025

“You can’t be laid up like this too much longer,” she insists, and it’s a credit to Deadwyler that even in this absurdist moment, we see the fear under her armor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2025

I was driving the Cadillac, taking some corn and squash and tomatoes to old Mr. Slocum, who was laid up with a bad back.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns