Antonyms for laying back

Grammar : Verb

Spell : ley

Phonetic Transcription : leɪ

Definition of laying back

Origin : Old English lecgan "to place on the ground (or other surface)," also "put down (often by striking)," from Proto-Germanic *lagjanan (cf. Old Saxon leggian, Old Norse leggja, Old Frisian ledza, Middle Dutch legghan, Dutch leggen, Old High German lecken, German legen, Gothic lagjan "to lay, put, place"), causative of lie (v.2). As a noun, from 1550s, "act of laying." Meaning "way in which something is laid" (e.g. lay of the land) first recorded 1819.
Meaning "have sex with" first recorded 1934, in U.S. slang, probably from sense of "deposit" (which was in Old English, as in lay an egg, lay a bet, etc.), perhaps reinforced by to lie with, a phrase frequently met in the Bible. The noun meaning "woman available for sexual intercourse" is attested from 1930, but there are suggestions of it in stage puns from as far back as 1767. To lay for (someone) "await a chance at revenge" is from late 15c.; lay low "stay inconspicuous" is from 1839. To lay (someone) low preserves the secondary Old English sense.

As in abate : verb lessen, grow or cause to grow less
As in lull : verb calm, ease off
As in pacify : verb make peaceful; appease
As in relent : verb die down; let up
As in slack/slacken : verb do little or nothing; loosen
As in calm : verb make composed, quiet

Example sentences :

"I really didn't know how tired I was," he said, laying back his head.
Extract from : « Missy » by Miriam Coles Harris

A switch of her tail and a laying back of her ears showed that she understood.
Extract from : « Confessions of Boyhood » by John Albee

At this moment the jaguars raised their heads, while laying back their ears and snuffing anxiously.
Extract from : « The Trail-Hunter » by Gustave Aimard

I did, but not having heard from you I thought you might be laying back to finish up some old business.
Extract from : « Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist » by Harlan Page Halsey

This difficulty Mr. Lucas meets occasionally by sawing out and laying back one-half the carapace, to expose the interior.
Extract from : « Taxidermy and Zoological Collecting » by William T. Hornaday

As if by common accord, the two horses stopped and thrust out their heads, while laying back their ears and snorting loudly.
Extract from : « The White Scalper » by Gustave Aimard

There was not an atom of vice in that performance; no savage baring of teeth and laying back of ears.
Extract from : « A Personal Record » by Joseph Conrad

She carried her double burden with ease, laying back her ears and champing her bit like the high-spirited mare she was.
Extract from : « The Devil's Pool » by George Sand

"Weaver," commented old Etienne, laying back on her breast one of the hands he had lifted.
Extract from : « The Landloper » by Holman Day

The horse had been laying back his ears and showing the whites of his eyes and measuring the distance for a kick at the man.
Extract from : « The Modern Pistol and How to Shoot It » by Walter Winans

Synonyms for laying back

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019