letting it lie

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letting it lie" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the decision to not pursue a topic or issue further, often to avoid conflict or complications. Example: "After discussing the matter, I decided it was best to just let it lie and move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Letting it lie might seem virtuous but would have been, as you suggest, literally passing the buck to some later driver who surely would have pocketed it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The latter didn't, after Mortimer was sidelined by a triple heart bypass operation – but Vic'n'Bob aren't letting it lie: tickets are now on sale for the new year.

The Guardian

I had plans for it that did not come to fruition (which included a potential fusion of cash from HOWZAT), so I have just been letting it lie to see if anything evolved whilst I focussed on bigger fish.

TechCrunch

In terms of how Coffee Who is being used in practice, Deskarma says that a "top 4" Australian bank has used the app to get employees to discuss a new go-to-market strategy, rather than letting it lie dormant on a few PowerPoint slides.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Also the cat demands attention which could a lot of fun by letting it lay or sit on your lap just like your its fluffy friend.

WikiHow

She stood close, touching her friend's shoulders and head, catching strands of falling hair in her hands, letting it lay all over her clothes.

Huffington Post

It is clear that I probably have less knowledge of wine than anyone else on board -- and in this crowd, I am not going to fake it -- so I am happy to learn such esoterica as how to get the last seven drops of wine out of the bottle (let it lie on its side for a bit) and how to tell a chardonnay vine by its leaf (look for a naked vein).

The New York Times - Travel

"Thompson let it lie.

The New York Times - Books

Let it lie there".

The New York Times - Books

I let it lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let it lie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "letting it lie" when you want to convey a sense of deliberately not pursuing something further, often to avoid potential complications or conflict. It suggests a conscious decision to allow a situation to remain as it is.

Common error

Avoid using "letting it lie" when you intend to communicate active resolution or direct confrontation of an issue. This phrase implies a passive approach, not an active one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letting it lie" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the act of choosing not to pursue a matter, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "letting it lie" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of deliberately not pursuing a matter, often to avoid complications. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable and found primarily in news and media contexts. While its usage is relatively rare, as seen from the limited number of examples, understanding its connotation is crucial to avoid misapplication. Alternatives such as "leave it alone" or "drop the subject" can be used depending on the context. Mastering this phrase involves recognizing situations where a passive approach is more beneficial than direct confrontation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Leave it alone

Emphasizes non-interference and allowing something to remain undisturbed.

Drop the subject

Directly indicates a cessation of discussion regarding a specific topic.

Let it rest

Suggests allowing a matter to remain unaddressed to avoid further conflict or complications.

Pass over in silence

Implies a deliberate decision not to mention or acknowledge something.

Bury the hatchet

Means to end a quarrel or conflict and move forward.

Let bygones be bygones

Focuses on forgiving past offenses and moving on.

Turn a blind eye

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something undesirable or inappropriate.

Look the other way

Similar to turning a blind eye, suggesting a deliberate avoidance of noticing something.

Sweep under the rug

Implies concealing a problem or issue to avoid dealing with it publicly.

Table it

Proposes postponing discussion or consideration of a matter to a later time.

FAQs

How can I use "letting it lie" in a sentence?

You can use "letting it lie" to describe a decision to not pursue a matter further. For example, "After the argument, I decided "to let it lie" and move on".

What's a similar phrase to "letting it lie"?

A similar phrase is "leave it alone", which also suggests not interfering with something. Other options include "drop the subject" or "let it rest".

Is it grammatically correct to say "letting it lie"?

Yes, "letting it lie" is grammatically correct. "Letting" functions as a gerund, and "it" is the object, with "lie" acting as an intransitive verb indicating a state of rest.

When is it appropriate to use "letting it lie" versus addressing the issue?

Use "letting it lie" when addressing the issue could cause more harm than good or when the issue is insignificant enough not to warrant further attention. If the issue is important and requires resolution, avoid "letting it lie".