Lying low and laying low

2 comments July 18th, 2008

One of the main reasons “lie” and “lay” cause so much trouble is that the past tense of “lie” — to be or get horizontal — is “lay.”

“I usually lie down for a two-hour nap in the afternoon.”

“Yesterday I lay down for just 20 minutes.” (That’s “lay,” not “laid.”)

Combine that crossover with the wonderful world of idiom, and it can get quite confusing. Here are some examples:

To “lie low” is to hide out to avoid detection or otherwise try to be inconspicuous:

“I think we should lie low until this blows over.”

To “lay (someone) low” is to weaken or sadden:

“This bad news is sure to lay her low.”

Similarly, to “lay for” is informal for “to be waiting to attack.”

To “lie in wait” can mean the same thing, although it’s possible to have less violent intentions — like waiting for the guest at a surprise party.

I won’t lay any more of them on you today.