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lay down

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lay down

to give up. Do you expect me to just lay down? You really think I should just lay down and let them walk all over me?

See also: down, lay

lay someone down

to ease someone into a reclining position; to ease someone into bed. The baby woke up when I tried to lay him down. The nurse laid the disturbed patient down time and time again.

See also: down, lay

lay something down (on something)

to place something down on something. Lay the plates down on the table gently. Please lay down your book and listen to me.

See also: down, lay

lay down something

also lay something down

to say or write something plainly The coach laid down the rules for all team members, including being at every practice and getting eight hours sleep.

Related vocabulary: set down something

See also: down, lay

lay down

1. Give something up, surrender, as in They laid down their arms. [c. 1300]

2. Formulate, specify, as in The club laid down new membership rules. [Late 1400s]

3. Also, lay down one's life. Sacrifice one's life, as in He would willingly lay down his life for his children. [c. 1600]

4. Store for the future, as in It was a great vintage year for burgundy, and Mark laid down several cases. [Early 1800s] Also see lay aside, def. 2.

See also: down, lay

lay down

v.

1. To put something in a horizontal or lying position: You can lay down the newspaper on the table. Lay the baby down in the crib.

2. To put down some weapon in order to surrender: The militants laid down their weapons. The protesters laid their signs down when the mayor came out to speak to them.

3. To specify something firmly: The first thing the counselor did was to lay down the rules for the campers. The club owner laid the business policies down for the employees.

See also: down, lay

lay down

in. to give up. Do you expect me to just lay down?

See also: down, lay