laid sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid sick" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would be "laid up sick," which is used to describe someone who is bedridden or unable to function due to illness. Example: "After catching the flu, she was laid up sick for a week and couldn't go to work."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We borrowed a bed from Barbie, covered the bones with red marker dots and laid this "sick chick" out to create "chicken pox".

The New York Times

Comey lays a sick testimony in verse form that dips into the truly bombastic hook, "Lordy, I hope there are tapes".

The New Yorker

"After the surgery I was very sick, just laid up in my room," he said.

The New York Times

Here is Davis's sick mind laid bare, and her dark humour given free rein.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For people who are not rich in Silicon Valley, getting sick or laid off or losing a second income means catastrophe.

The New York Times

"I really only go at it when I am laid up in bed, sick, and lately I have been enjoying fine health.

The New Yorker

The Colour of these was of a dark Green and the very Aspect as shocking as the pain itself, which yet was as if the Sick had laid upon a fire".

The New York Times - Health

"Lulu just laid there in her sick, broken kind of way.

Huffington Post

Odds are, if you are together long enough, someone will get sick or laid off, a car will break down, or some other emergency will pop up.

Huffington Post

Your own tolerance levels may vary over time; if you're off work sick or laid off and have a lot of time to spare for social media, it may bother you less than when you're busy working, caring for a new baby or running your business.

WikiHow

Second, when an employee gets laid off during a sickness absence period, the transition from "sick-listed employee" to "sick-listed unemployed person" is not recorded.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct and idiomatic phrase "laid up sick" to describe someone who is confined to bed due to illness. For example, instead of saying "He was laid sick after catching the flu", say "He was laid up sick after catching the flu."

Common error

A common mistake is using "laid" when "lay" or "lying" is required. "Laid" is the past tense of "lay" (to place something down), while "lay" (or "lying") is used when referring to being in a resting position. Remember that "laid" always needs an object, while "lay" doesn't. You can say "The hen laid an egg" but when you are sick, you "lay" in bed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid sick" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to describe a state of being unwell and confined. However, the standard and accepted form is "laid up sick". As Ludwig AI pointed out, "laid sick" is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laid sick" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the accurate and idiomatic expression is "laid up sick", which describes a state of being confined to bed due to illness. Although "laid sick" might be understood in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing and speech. Remember that the word "laid" need an object while the word "lay" doesn't. Consider using alternatives like "bedridden with illness" or "confined to bed due to sickness" for more clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laid up sick

This is the idiomatic and correct form of the phrase, indicating confinement due to illness.

bedridden with illness

Replaces "laid" with "bedridden" emphasizing the state of being confined to bed because of sickness.

confined to bed due to sickness

More formal alternative, highlighting the confinement aspect.

incapacitated by illness

Focuses on the inability to function normally because of the sickness.

sick in bed

Simplifies the expression to a basic description of being sick and in bed.

ill and bedridden

Similar to "bedridden with illness", just uses a different word order.

out of commission due to sickness

Uses a more figurative expression meaning unable to work or function.

indisposed with illness

A more formal and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying someone is sick and unable to attend to their usual activities.

recovering in bed

Focuses on the recovery aspect of being sick in bed.

unwell and resting

A gentle way of saying someone is sick and needs rest.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is sick in bed?

The correct and idiomatic way to say someone is sick in bed is to say they are "laid up sick". This phrase accurately conveys the idea of being confined to bed due to illness.

Is "laid sick" grammatically correct?

No, "laid sick" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The proper phrase is "laid up sick".

What does "laid up sick" mean?

"Laid up sick" means someone is confined to bed or resting due to illness. It suggests they are temporarily unable to perform their usual activities.

Are there alternatives to saying "laid up sick"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "bedridden with illness", "confined to bed due to sickness", or "incapacitated by illness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.