to remain in bed late in the morning
to be confined in childbirth
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 .
First recorded in 1960–65; see origin at lie 2, -in 3
First recorded in 1865–70; noun use of verb phrase lie in
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The ingredients of the dispute lie in decisions made last year, and the situation at the MoD when Labour arrived.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
Khichuri’s beauty and widespread appeal lie in its versatility.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
The masquerade’s origins lie in Greek religion and Roman festivals.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
"Nissan's fundamental challenges lie in the decline of product competitiveness in North America, the rapid decline in sales in China, and the damage to its brand power," said Tatsuo Yoshida, analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Uprooted bushes lie in piles beside the new buildings.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
