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• lie-down
  lie-down

  noun

  a nap.
• lie down
  lie down

  verb

  to place oneself or be in a prostrate position in order to rest or sleep

lie-down

American  

[lahy-doun] / ˈlaɪˌdaʊn /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a nap.

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lie down British  

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 )

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noun

1. a rest

lie down Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of lie-down

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

Example Sentences

Experts say that, in these situations, it is best to lie down and play dead.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

"Our family would lie down and look at various places on the Moon that he would identify based on his mapping and his study guides," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

But Italy refused to lie down and piled more pressure on the Irish defence in the closing 10 minutes as unease grew among the fans.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

“They visited their head doctors—psychiatrists—and they took pills to help them sleep when they stopped having the will to lie down at night. Soon they turned on each other, and the world changed again.”

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

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