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lay low
lay low
1. To be, make oneself, or remain hidden or inconspicuous; to avoid being found, detected, or scrutinized by others. (A common error for the grammatically correct "lie low.") I'm sorry I haven't been around to see you lately, but with the police investigating the company I thought it would be better to lay low for a while. Jim and Colby are laying low with the goods. Once the heat from the cops eases up, they'll send the stuff over to us.
2. By extension, to keep to oneself; to avoid interactions with others. I think I'm just going to lay low at home this weekend—I don't really feel like going out at all.
lay somebody low
to make someone weak or extremely sad The death of her father really laid her low. Paul was laid low by the flu for about a week.
lay somebody low
if an illness lays someone low, they are unable to do what they usually do for a period of time (usually passive) He was at home at the time, laid low with the flu.
lay low
1. To keep oneself or one's plans hidden.
2. To bide one's time but remain ready for action.
3. To cause to be dead or unable to get up from a lying position: How many soldiers were laid low in that battle? The flu has laid low thousands.