Antonyms for laying down

Grammar : Adj, noun, verb

Spell : ley

Phonetic Transcription : leɪ

Definition of laying down

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 : adj lying flat
As in procumbent : adj flat
As in creation : noun development of entity
As in leave : verb forget, neglect
As in parlay : verb bet; maneuver
As in prescribe : verb stipulate action to be taken
As in provide : verb determine, specify
As in recline : verb lie down
As in record : verb write down; store information
As in repose : verb relax; recline
As in retreat : verb pull back, go away
As in rule : verb judge, decide
As in set : verb decide upon
As in stipulate : verb decide on conditions
As in bet : verb gamble
As in bunt : verb hit half-heartedly
As in particularize : verb stipulate
As in dictate : verb command; give instructions
As in enunciate : verb speak clearly
As in impose : verb set, dictate

Example sentences :

"Meaning that I lie," said the archer, laying down his knife.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Are you in the habit of laying down the law to everyone who will permit it?
Extract from : « Good Indian » by B. M. Bower

"Scarcely a theory," he remarked, laying down his paper for a moment.
Extract from : « The Avenger » by E. Phillips Oppenheim

And laying down the magazine, he takes up her hand and presses it to his lips.
Extract from : « The Book of Khalid » by Ameen Rihani

Then Gervaise understood that he fancied he was on a roof, laying down sheets of zinc.
Extract from : « L'Assommoir » by Emile Zola

I've been laying down the law to Val, Belle; we must not be present at the funeral.
Extract from : « Melomaniacs » by James Huneker

Miss Lucy, laying down her knitting, took it from him with eager fingers.
Extract from : « The Long Roll » by Mary Johnston

At last he spoke, laying down his pipe, and sitting back at his ease.
Extract from : « The Promised Land » by Mary Antin

Noll asked, turning to the skipper, and laying down his glass.
Extract from : « Culm Rock » by Glance Gaylord

"This will be a pill," said Mr. Carden, laying down the paper.
Extract from : « Put Yourself in His Place » by Charles Reade

Synonyms for laying down

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