lay down

The phrase "lay down" has multiple meanings, often involving placing something in a position, establishing rules, or surrendering.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

A2General

To place something in a horizontal position.

Example

She laid the book down on the table.

B2Legal/Administrative

(formal)To establish or specify a rule, principle, or law.

Example

The new policy was laid down by the management.

B1Conflict/Competition

To relinquish or surrender something, such as a weapon.

Example

The soldiers were ordered to lay down their arms.

A2General

To rest or recline in a horizontal position.

Example

After a long day, he decided to lay down for a while.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay down":

lie down lay over lay on lay in lay about lay by lay back lay open lie back lay away lay into lay to lay figure lay out lie around put down lie in lie over set down lay up bed down lay to rest doss down lay aside get down lie upon laid up lay waste face down lay in lavender throw down lay on the line lie with lie by get down on lie behind sit down live down lay bare lay low lard down flat on one's back lay off lay a foundation lay down the law cry down plop down slap down get laid let down lie in the way fall down lay odds sleep on make down play dead sit back on one's back rest on go down assume the position come down sleep with lay an egg roll over bunk down prone out towel down write down bend over put to bed fall down on lie before stretch out