Phrase guide

take lying down

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To endure without complaint or protest.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I don't know what they expect, but I am certainly not going to take this lying down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I won't take this insult lying down

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: digest, endure, stick out, stomach, bear, stand, tolerate, support, brook, abide, suffer, put up

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 逆來順受 /逆来顺受 (nìláishùnshòu) — endure without complaint
  • Chinese Mandarin: 袖手旁觀 /袖手旁观 (xiùshǒupángguān) — endure without complaint
  • Chinese Mandarin: 忍氣吞聲 /忍气吞声 (rěnqìtūnshēng) — endure without complaint
  • Chinese Mandarin: 隱忍不發 /隐忍不发 (yǐnrěnbùfā) — endure without complaint
  • Finnish: niellä purematta — endure without complaint
  • French: accepter sans protester — endure without complaint
  • French: accepter sans broncher — endure without complaint
  • French: accepter sans rien dire — endure without complaint
  • French: se laisser faire — endure without complaint
  • Polish: znosić po cichu — endure without complaint
  • Portuguese: engolir — endure without complaint