Where the truth lies

January 29th, 2009 at 07:00am Barry Wood

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging to bring you this language bulletin:

A new comment on an old entry asks “Is it ‘low-laying island’ or ‘low-lying island’? Why?”

Rather than just respond to the old one, I’m making a new one.

First, the correct phrase is “low-lying island.” The island is in a low horizontal position: That’s “lying.”

“Laying” requires an object: The island would have to be putting something else in a low position.

At the risk of adding to the confusion, I feel obligated to mention that “lay low” and “lie low” are established idiomatic phrases, but they have specific meanings.

To “lay low” is “to cause to fall by hitting” or “to overcome or kill.” It can be used figuratively for making someone feel low, in the same way that a “low blow” doesn’t have to be physical.

To “lie low” is “to keep oneself hidden or inconspicuous” or “to wait patiently for an opportunity.” For example, “Let’s lie low until this thing blows over.”

The second is fairly common. Unfortunately, there’s a better than even chance that when you encounter it, it is misused as “lay low.”

To “lay” is to put or place something. Unless that’s the intended meaning, the correct word is probably “lie.”

Entry Filed under: lay and lie, perplexing pairs