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

Perhaps because the term is so plainly descriptive, I’ve always seen a lie-down as something necessary and sensible, rather than indulgent or lazy.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2024

It has a seating capacity of 288, with many oversized seats and 28 first-class pods with lie-down seats.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2021

When she went upstairs to have a lie-down, it wasn't long before she was woken up by the huge racket coming from downstairs.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2020

Disappearing through the curtain into a video booth, hours might pass until I re-emerge, wild-haired and gawping, or refreshed after a nice lie-down.

From The Guardian • May 7, 2020

About eleven at night, when the first of them began to lie-down, I shifted the lot to an open place, so as to have them all together when they got full.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

Related Words

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