lie with

responsibility euphemism

The phrase "lie with" has nuanced meanings, often indicating responsibility or a euphemistic reference to intimate relations.

Definition

B2General

(formal, informal)To be the responsibility or duty of someone.

Example

The final decision lies with the board of directors.
The blame for the error lies with the manager.

C1Literary

(euphemistic, archaic)To engage in sexual activity with someone.

Example

In the poem, he speaks of the night he lay with his beloved.

Similar

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

lie upon lie by lie over lie in lie behind lie before lay about lay in lay on lie in the way lay over lie around lie down lay by lay to lay down sleep with lay into lay figure give the lie lay open live with lie back lay away lie detection be with sit with lay back stand with lay on the line lie on the oars