lie-in
noun
a protest demonstration in which participants lie down in a public place against regulations and resist being moved.
lie-in
1 American
[lahy-in]
/ ˈlaɪˌɪn /
noun
lie-in
2
American
[lahy-in]
/ ˈlaɪˌɪn /
noun
Chiefly British.
lie in
British
verb
-
to remain in bed late in the morning
-
to be confined in childbirth
noun
lie in
Idioms
-
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 .
Etymology
Origin of lie-in1
First recorded in 1960–65; see origin at lie 2, -in 3
Origin of lie-in2
First recorded in 1865–70; noun use of verb phrase lie in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Civ, who is also heading to Newcastle University after getting two A*s and an A, said he plans to celebrate by heading back home and having a "lie-in".
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Mr James said: "I haven't had a day off in seven months so I'm quite looking forward to the prospect of a lie-in and not having to complete 26 miles tomorrow."
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025
This is a slight lie-in compared to Australia two weeks ago, I suppose.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2024
He likes the lie-in, too, because it annoys the wrong people.
From New York Times ● Apr. 20, 2020
Chased from our classic souls shall be All thoughts of vulgar progeny; And thou shalt walk through smiling rows Of chubby duodecimos, While I, to match thy products nearly, Shall lie-in of a quarto yearly.
From The Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore Collected by Himself with Explanatory Notes by William Michael Rossetti
Asked by Fielder whether she’s ever told a lie in her life, she replies, “I don’t think so.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
And yet she tells Mr. Fielder she’s never told a lie in her life, a statement that itself would be a lie coming from almost anyone who has ever lived.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"We now think the answer may lie in shared regulatory networks embedded within the body's immune and metabolic systems," said Prof Pshezhetskiy.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
It will lie in state at Karuziika Palace for the mourning period and members of the public will be allowed to pay their respects and prayers will be held there each evening.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
That night I lie in a cot in a room filled with dozens of girls.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
