has lain low

USAGE SUMMARY

"has lain low" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that someone or something has been hiding or staying out of sight for an extended period of time. Example: The notorious criminal has lain low since his escape from prison, making it difficult for the authorities to track him down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Mr. Johnston has lain low in the last week.

The New York Times

Reports suggested Michael Gove, Johnson's co-figurehead in the official leave campaign who has lain low since Friday, had called the former London mayor to formally pledge support to his leadership bid.

The Guardian

Mr. Romney, who has lain low and focused much of his time on fund-raising since winning the Republican nomination, now will likely be forced to wade into an issue that he has steered clear of for most of the general election campaign after a nominating fight in which he took positions that alarmed some immigrant rights groups.

The New York Times

The expression is "to lie low," so the perfect tense should be "has lain low".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Pao could have lain low in both jobs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And as he was led out, smiling, in manacles, tenants who had lain low during an all-night police siege threw open their windows and erupted into cheers: "Lar-ry!

The New York Times

Unlike cigarette smokers, who generally accept that smoking is hazardous and have lain low despite ever more stringent restrictions on their habit, e-cigarette users, commonly known as "vapers," have created a boisterous subculture vociferously opposed to any regulations that might limit availability of the wide range of battery-powered devices and flavored nicotine fluids on the market.

The New York Times

So, if the real conservatives are not behind the war against climate science, who is? Until recently, the groups pushing the denialist agenda have lain low to avoid public scrutiny.

Huffington Post

Since then, he has lain relatively low.

The New York Times

In the three weeks since he'd been fired, in early July, he had lain relatively low, but now he was apparently ready to talk at length about his tenure.

The New Yorker

But the Marxists have had to lay low – acknowledge the movement but then try to intervene, to move it back on the track to narrow trade unionist demands.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has lain low" to describe a period of inactivity or concealment, often after a period of high visibility or activity. It suggests a deliberate choice to avoid attention.

Common error

Ensure you're using the correct form of the verb "to lie" (to recline or be in a horizontal position) versus "to lay" (to place something down). "Has lain low" is the correct past participle of "to lie" when indicating concealment or inactivity. Remember, "lay" requires a direct object, while "lie" does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has lain low" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense, describing a state of reduced activity or visibility that began in the past and continues to have relevance. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has lain low" describes a period of deliberate inactivity or concealment. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and primarily found in News & Media sources. While relatively uncommon, it effectively communicates a strategic retreat from public attention. Remember to use the correct form of "lie" (to recline) versus "lay" (to place), and consider alternatives like "has kept a low profile" or "has remained out of sight" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has kept a low profile

Focuses on minimizing visibility rather than necessarily hiding.

has remained out of sight

Emphasizes the lack of visibility.

has stayed under the radar

Highlights avoiding attention, particularly from authorities or the public.

has gone into hiding

Implies a more deliberate and secretive attempt to avoid being found.

has secluded themself

Suggests withdrawal from society and interactions.

has taken a hiatus

Implies a temporary break from activity, often public activity.

has gone silent

Focuses on the cessation of communication.

has disappeared from the scene

Indicates a complete removal from a particular context or location.

has retreated from public life

Suggests a withdrawal from public engagement and scrutiny.

has been inactive

Describes a lack of action or participation.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "has lain low"?

Saying someone "has lain low" means they have been avoiding public attention or activity, often to avoid scrutiny or trouble. It suggests a period of deliberate inactivity or concealment.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has lain low"?

It's appropriate when describing someone's actions after a controversial event or when they intentionally withdraw from public life. It implies a strategic retreat from visibility.

What can I say instead of "has lain low"?

You can use alternatives like "has kept a low profile", "has remained out of sight", or "has stayed under the radar" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "has lain low" and "has laid low"?

Yes, "has lain low" is the correct phrase. "Lain" is the past participle of "to lie" (to recline or be in a state of rest or concealment), while "laid" is the past participle of "to lay" (to place something down). Using "laid" in this context would be grammatically incorrect.