Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of telling a lie; the state of being untruthful: "Lying" refers to the deliberate act of saying something that is not true, with the intent to deceive.
   • The act of being in or assuming a horizontal position: "Lying" can also refer to the state of resting in a reclining position.

2. Verb (Present Participle of 'lie'):

   • To tell a falsehood: The action of making an untrue statement intentionally.
   • To be in or assume a horizontal position: The action of resting on a surface, typically in a flat position.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Deceit):
  • His constant lying made it hard to trust him.
  • Lying is considered unethical in most cultures.
• Noun (Position):
  • The lying of the foundation stones took several days.
• Verb (Deceit):
  • She is lying about her age.
  • I suspect he was lying to protect his friend.
• Verb (Position):
  • The book is lying on the table.
  • He was lying in bed, reading a novel.

Advanced Usage

• "Lying in state": The ceremonial tradition of displaying the coffin of a deceased prominent person for public viewing.
  • The former president's body will be lying in state at the capitol.
• "Lying low": Keeping a low profile to avoid attention or trouble.
  • After the scandal, the celebrity has been lying low.
• "Take something lying down": To accept an insult or bad treatment without protest or resistance.
  • He will not take these accusations lying down.

Variants and Related Words

• Lie (v/n): The base form of the verb and noun.
  • Don't lie to me. (v)
  • It was a white lie. (n)
• Liar (n): A person who tells lies.
  • He was exposed as a compulsive liar.
• Prostrate (adj/v): Lying stretched out on the ground, often face downward.
  • They lay prostrate in worship.

Synonyms

• Deceit: The action or practice of deceiving someone.
• Falsehood: The state of being untrue; a lie.
• Reclining: Leaning or lying back in a relaxed position.
• Resting: Ceasing work or movement to relax.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lie about/around: To be lazily inactive or to be placed untidily somewhere.
  • Don't just lie about all day; do something productive!
  • His clothes were lying around the room.
• Lie behind: To be the real, often hidden, reason for something.
  • What motives lie behind his sudden generosity?
• Lie with: To be the responsibility of someone.
  • The final decision lies with the committee.

Related Idioms

• A pack of lies: A series of statements that are completely false.
  • His alibi turned out to be a pack of lies.
• Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid mentioning a subject that could cause trouble or controversy.
  • I decided not to ask about the money and let sleeping dogs lie.
• The lie of the land: The current state or nature of a situation.
  • We need to understand the lie of the land before making an investment.

Noun

1. the deliberate act of deviating from the truth