“Laying low” or “lying low”: which is correct?
The short answer
The correct phrase is lying low because lie is the verb that means to recline or be in a flat position, whereas lay requires a direct object and means to place something down.
Why people get it wrong
The verbs lay and lie are often confused because they have similar meanings and because lay is both the past tense of lie and the base form of another verb. Additionally, in casual speech, incorrect usage has become common, further contributing to the confusion.
What kind of mistake it is
It’s a grammatical error involving the misuse of lay and lie.
Examples with lying low
- I will be lying low until the situation calms down.
- She has been lying low for a few weeks now.
- We decided to lie low after the recent events.
Quick check
I will be until the situation calms down.
The correct phrase is lying low because lie is the verb that means to recline or be in a flat position, whereas lay requires a direct object and means to place something down.
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