laid low for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid low for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been incapacitated, defeated, or rendered ineffective for a period of time. Example: "After the unexpected storm, the town was laid low for several days, with power outages and blocked roads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

So he laid low for a while.

The New Yorker

They laid low for a time, just like the dissident outfit.

The Guardian

Mr Aweys, who laid low for several years before resurfacing last autumn, now distances himself from al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Maxwell laid low for nearly half a decade, though he did sing on a song by Nas, "No One Else in the Room," in 2004.

The New York Times - Arts

I laid low for a couple of days, and then after dark I ventured out, only to run into a friend who lived a block west.

The New York Times

The mental exercises Evagrius urges on those whom acedia has laid low — for example, dividing oneself into two, "one the consoler and the other the object of consolation" — unmistakably anticipate the self-disciplining (and self-forgiving) exercises of modern cognitive-behavioral therapists.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr. Flanagan said that Mr. Fossella "seems to be laying low," for the moment.

The New York Times

The British, despite their veto, have joined the compact as "observers" but are laying low for now.

The Economist

We've been laying low for awhile, and now is actually the official launch of the company," CEO and co-founder Nitzan Shapira told TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

That is to say, unless your company name is Apple, Inc., you'd be better served laying low for the day, and make any announcements later in the week.

TechCrunch

After laying low for six months to work on integrating two huge companies, Hewlett-Packard Chairman Carly Fiorina Carly Fiorina will once again be thrust into the spotlight over the next several weeks.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laid low for" to describe a temporary state of being incapacitated, hidden, or inactive, especially after an event or during a period of recovery. For instance, "After the scandal, the politician laid low for several months."

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense of "lay" (laid) instead of confusing it with "lie" (lay, lain). For example, avoid saying "He lie low for a while" and instead use "He laid low for a while".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid low for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of reduced activity, visibility, or influence over a period. Ludwig supports that it often describes a deliberate or involuntary period of dormancy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "laid low for" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a period of inactivity, concealment, or reduced influence. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating that someone or something has become less prominent or active, either intentionally or due to circumstances. When using the phrase, ensure correct tense usage and consider alternatives like "remained inactive for" or "kept a low profile for" to suit different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of action for

This alternative directly implies a period of inactivity due to some kind of incapacitation.

sidelined for

Suggests a temporary removal from activity, often due to injury or other impediment.

inactive for

Focuses on the state of not being active or engaged for a specified duration.

in hiding for

Emphasizes the act of concealing oneself for a period, often to avoid detection.

under the radar for

Implies avoiding attention and remaining unnoticed for some time.

out of commission for

Suggests something is temporarily not working or available.

incapacitated for

Highlights the state of being unable to function normally for a duration.

out of circulation for

Implies that someone or something is not accessible or visible to the public.

in seclusion for

Highlights the state of being isolated or withdrawn from society for a specific time.

lying dormant for

Suggests a period of inactivity, with the potential for future activity or resurgence.

FAQs

How can I use "laid low for" in a sentence?

You can use "laid low for" to describe a period of inactivity or hiding. For example, "After the incident, he "laid low for" a few weeks to avoid attention".

What does it mean to say someone "laid low for" a period?

It means they remained quiet, out of sight, or inactive, usually to avoid trouble or attention. Similar phrases include "stayed out of sight" or "kept a low profile".

What can I say instead of "laid low for"?

You can use alternatives like "remained inactive for", "stayed out of the public eye for", or "kept a low profile for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lay low for" or "laid low for"?

"Laid low for" is the correct past tense form. "Lay low" is the infinitive form. Example: "He decided to "lay low", so he "laid low for" a while".