Take something lying down literally means “take something lying down”. The phrase may sound strange to our unaccustomed ears, but it actually makes perfect sense. Let’s see how.
Take can mean “to take”, as you know, including when we say that someone “took a beating” or “took a punch”. It is this sense of fights and attacks that the verb has in the phrase take it lying down : “to take lying down” – that is, “to take a beating/suffer an attack without resisting”.
So, we finally arrive at the meaning of take something lying down : “to let it go” (an offense, criticism, etc.) or “to accept without resistance/struggle/protest”.
Just like “let it go”, the phrase take something lying down is usually used in the negative, to say that you don’t let something go.
Without further ado, let’s check out the example sentences in Anki :
He vowed that he would not take the court ‘s decision lying down .
You’ll never be respected around here if you keep taking these taunts lying down .
I will not take this lying down ! You can expect to hear from my attorney.
I will not let this go ! You can expect to hear from my attorney.
She’s laughing at me for being weak and I’m not going to take it lying down any longer .
The
government is not taking such criticism lying down .
He
insulted me publicly. You don’t expect me to take that lying down , do you ?
He can’t treat you like that! Surely you’re not going to take that lying down !
He can’t treat you like that! I hope you won’t let this go !
I’m not the kind of person who’ll take something like that lying down .
I’m not the kind of person who ‘ll let something like that go by.
The
visitors refused to take this setback lying down and almost immediately forced a corner.
At
least she is n’t taking his attacks lying down .
I hope today’s post was helpful!