lie-in

¹

[lahy-in]

noun

1. a protest demonstration in which participants lie down in a public place against regulations and resist being moved.

lie-in

²

[lahy-in]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. an act or instance of staying in bed longer than usual, especially in the morning.

lie in

verb

1. to remain in bed late in the morning

2. to be confined in childbirth

noun

1. a long stay in bed in the morning

Word History and Origins

Origin of lie in¹

First recorded in 1960–65; lie ², -in ³

Origin of lie in²

First recorded in 1865–70; noun use of verb phrase lie in

Idioms and Phrases

Be in confinement for childbirth, as in She thought she'd be lying in by next week . This usage is probably dying out. The name of Boston's Lying-In Hospital was changed to Women's Hospital in the 1970s. [Mid-1400s]

Also, . Rest or depend on something or someone, as in The solution lies in research , or The decision lies in the President's hands , or It does not lie in my power to turn this situation around . [Mid-1300s] Also see lie in wait ; lie through one's teeth .

Related Words

• parade 
• protest 
• sit-in 
• strike 
• walkout