laid low
Definition
- Adjective:
- Put out of action (by illness): In a state of being incapacitated, typically forced to stay in bed or be inactive due to sickness or physical ailment.
Usage
- The phrase "laid low" is used to describe a person who has been made ill or incapacitated, often severely enough to disrupt normal activities. It is commonly used in the passive voice (e.g., "was laid low," "have been laid low") to indicate that the illness has this state of inactivity.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to lay someone low": This is the active verb form meaning to cause someone to become ill or incapacitated.
- That virus can lay you low for days.
- The phrase can sometimes be used metaphorically for non-physical setbacks, though this is less common.
- The company was laid low by the financial scandal. (Here, it means severely weakened or damaged.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lay low (verb phrase): This is a different, informal phrase meaning to hide or keep a low profile.
- After the robbery, the thieves decided to lay low for a while.
Synonyms
- Incapacitated: Rendered unable to act or function.
- Bedridden: Confined to bed by sickness or weakness.
- Stricken: Seriously affected by an illness or problem.
Related Phrases
- Out of commission: Not in service or not functioning, often due to breakdown or illness.
- The printer is out of commission, and so is John—he's laid low with a cold.
- Under the weather: Feeling ill. (This is milder than "laid low.")
- I'm feeling a bit under the weather, but I'm not laid low by it yet.
Adjective
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put out of action (by illness)
