take lying down
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb phrase: - To accept or endure (something unpleasant, such as an insult, criticism, or unfair treatment) without protest, resistance, or complaint. It implies a passive or submissive acceptance.
Usage
This phrase is almost always used in the negative form ("will not take [something] lying down") to express a strong determination to resist, protest, or fight back against an offense or injustice. It is used with direct objects like insult, criticism, defeat, treatment, accusation.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in conditional or hypothetical statements.
- No proud nation would take such aggression lying down.
- It can sometimes be used without an explicit object when the context is clear.
- He insulted my family. Do you think I'm just going to take that lying down?
Variants and Related Words
- Accept passively (verb phrase): To receive or endure something without active response.
- Submit to (verb): To yield or surrender to authority or a superior force.
- Endure (verb): To suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.
Synonyms
- Accept without a fight
- Submit to
- Grin and bear it
- Swallow (an insult)
Antonyms
- Fight back
- Resist
- Protest
- Stand up to
- Contest
Related Idioms
- Turn the other cheek: To respond to injury or insult without retaliation (often for moral or religious reasons). While similar in describing non-resistance, "turn the other cheek" implies a conscious, virtuous choice, whereas "take lying down" implies weak or passive acceptance.
- He decided to turn the other cheek rather than seek revenge. (Deliberate choice)
- He just took the bullying lying down. (Passive suffering)
Verb
- suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively
- I won't take this insult lying down