lie by

phrase verb

The phrase "lie by" is used in various contexts, primarily to indicate resting or pausing from activity. It has some dated and obsolete meanings as well.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal, dated)To rest or take a break from work or activity.

Example

After hours of hiking, they decided to lie by the river and relax.
The workers would lie by during the hottest part of the day.

B2General

(informal)To remain inactive or idle.

Example

The old machinery lay by, unused and gathering dust.
He preferred to lie by and let others take the lead.

C2Obsolete

(archaic)To engage in sexual intercourse.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lie by":

lie over lie before lie in lie with lie behind lie upon lay by lay about lay in lay on lay over lie in the way lay to lie around lie down lay figure give the lie lay open lie detection lay down lay away lie back lay into lay back blue lie fly by lay on the line