lie down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lie down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of no longer standing or sitting and instead resting in a reclined position. For example, "After a long day, I decided to lie down and rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lie down.

The New York Times

Lie down, lie down, lost leaves.

The New Yorker

Lie down,' " he said.

The New York Times

Lie down here.

The New York Times

Go and lie down".

The New Yorker

Lie down in peace".

The New York Times

"Lie down!" Giovanni commanded.

Independent

Lie down and rest.

Harvard University

"Lie down, lie down," Colonel Tejero ordered.

The Guardian

I gotta go lie down".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I need a lie-down.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lie down" when you want to explicitly instruct or describe someone assuming a reclining position for rest or relaxation.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "lie" (to recline) with "lay" (to place something down). The past tense of "lie" is "lay", which can lead to errors. For example, "I will "lie down"" (correct) vs. "I will lay down the book" (correct, but different meaning).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lie down" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the action of assuming a reclining position. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lie down" is a common and grammatically sound instruction or description for assuming a reclining position. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While it’s essential to avoid confusing it with "lay down", understanding its function as an intransitive verb phrase ensures clarity and proper usage. Alternatives like "recline" or "rest" may suit more formal settings, but "lie down" remains a versatile and easily understood expression. With a high source quality score and expert rating, the phrase stands as a reliable element of English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay down

Similar in meaning, but "lay down" is the past tense of the verb phrase.

go for a lie-down

British English variant emphasizing the act of lying down for relaxation.

recline

A more formal synonym for lying down, suggesting a relaxed posture.

stretch out

Suggests extending the body while lying down.

take a rest

Focuses on the purpose of lying down, which is to rest.

lie prone

Specifies lying face down.

go to bed

Implies lying down for sleep.

rest

A shorter, more general term for relaxing, which can include lying down.

get horizontal

An informal way to say lie down.

take a load off

An idiomatic expression suggesting to relax, often by sitting or lying down.

FAQs

How do you use "lie down" in a sentence?

You can use "lie down" to describe the act of reclining. For instance, "After a long day, I decided to "lie down" and rest."

What is the difference between "lie down" and "lay down"?

"Lie down" means to recline or rest in a flat position. "Lay down", on the other hand, means to place something or someone down. For example, you "lie down" to rest, but you lay a book down on the table.

What can I say instead of "lie down"?

Alternatives to "lie down" include "recline", "rest", or "stretch out", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is the correct tense: "lie down", "lay down", or "lied down"?

"Lie down" is the base form. "Lay down" is the past tense of "lie down". "Lied down" would only be correct if you were talking about telling a falsehood. For example, the dog "lay down" after being told to do so.