Synonyms

lie with

Idioms

Be decided by, dependent on, or up to. For example, The choice of restaurant lies with you. Starting about 1300 this phrase meant “to have sexual intercourse with,” a usage that is now obsolete. [Late 1800s]

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:

lie with

However, she is facing state charges, so the power of clemency would lie with the governor of Massachusetts.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

The more plausible fix may lie with Congress.

From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026

On Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the blame should lie with the individual who committed the attack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

The error with any individual issue may lie with the insurer, the provider or the patient.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 22, 2026

But his sons would not have it and they complained and said, “Shall our mother and grandfather lie with a servant? And must we also in our time?”

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023