lie
lie around
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If things are left lying around or lying about, they are not tidied away but left casually somewhere where they can be seen. (in BRIT, also use lie about)
People should be careful about their possessions and not leave them lying around...lie behind
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you refer to what lies behind a situation or event, you are referring to the reason the situation exists or the event happened.
It seems that what lay behind the clashes was disagreement over the list of candidates.lie de|tec|tor (lie detectors)
[N-COUNT] oft N n
A lie detector is an electronic machine used mainly by the police to find out whether a suspect is telling the truth.
...the results of a lie detector test.
= polygraphlie down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you lie down, you move into a horizontal position, usually in order to rest or sleep.
Why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a bit?♦♦ lie1 /l'aɪ/ (lie lies lying lay lain) POSITION OR SITUATION
Please look at category 8 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
There was a child lying on the ground...
He lay awake watching her for a long time.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...
Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet.
3 [VERB] V prep/adv
If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.
= sit
4 [V-LINK] V adj, V prep
You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...
His country's economy lies in ruins.
5 [VERB] V ord, V in n
You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. (mainly BRIT)
I was going well and was lying fourth...
Blyth Tait is lying in second place.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv
You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...
7 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...
The President's most serious challenges lie ahead.
8
to lie in state: see state
to take something lying down: see take♦ lie2 /l'aɪ/ (lie lies lying lied) THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE
1 [N-COUNT]
A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
`Who else do you work for?'--`No one.'--`That's a lie.'...
I've had enough of your lies...
All the boys told lies about their adventures.
see also white lie
2 [VERB] V, V about n, V to n, V-ing
If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
I know he's lying...
If asked, he lies about his age...
She lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...
He reportedly called her `a lying little twit'.
● lying [N-UNCOUNT]
Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
3 [VERB] V
If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
The camera can sometimes lie.
4
see also lyingwhite lie (white lies)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to an untrue statement as a white lie, you mean that it is made to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid trouble, and not for an evil purpose.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If things are left lying around or lying about, they are not tidied away but left casually somewhere where they can be seen. (in BRIT, also use lie about)
People should be careful about their possessions and not leave them lying around...lie behind
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you refer to what lies behind a situation or event, you are referring to the reason the situation exists or the event happened.
It seems that what lay behind the clashes was disagreement over the list of candidates.lie de|tec|tor (lie detectors)
[N-COUNT] oft N n
A lie detector is an electronic machine used mainly by the police to find out whether a suspect is telling the truth.
...the results of a lie detector test.
= polygraphlie down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you lie down, you move into a horizontal position, usually in order to rest or sleep.
Why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a bit?♦♦ lie1 /l'aɪ/ (lie lies lying lay lain) POSITION OR SITUATION
Please look at category 8 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
There was a child lying on the ground...
He lay awake watching her for a long time.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...
Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet.
3 [VERB] V prep/adv
If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.
= sit
4 [V-LINK] V adj, V prep
You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...
His country's economy lies in ruins.
5 [VERB] V ord, V in n
You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. (mainly BRIT)
I was going well and was lying fourth...
Blyth Tait is lying in second place.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv
You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...
7 [VERB] V prep/adv, V prep/adv
You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...
The President's most serious challenges lie ahead.
8
to lie in state: see state
to take something lying down: see take♦ lie2 /l'aɪ/ (lie lies lying lied) THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE
1 [N-COUNT]
A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
`Who else do you work for?'--`No one.'--`That's a lie.'...
I've had enough of your lies...
All the boys told lies about their adventures.
see also white lie
2 [VERB] V, V about n, V to n, V-ing
If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
I know he's lying...
If asked, he lies about his age...
She lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...
He reportedly called her `a lying little twit'.
● lying [N-UNCOUNT]
Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
3 [VERB] V
If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
The camera can sometimes lie.
4
see also lyingwhite lie (white lies)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to an untrue statement as a white lie, you mean that it is made to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid trouble, and not for an evil purpose.