lie low


Also lay low. Keep oneself or one's plans hidden; bide one's time to act. For example, The children lay low, hoping their prank would soon be forgotten, or The senator decided to lay low until his opponent had committed herself to raising taxes. This expression calls up the image of a hunter concealed in the brush, waiting for game. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

Words Nearby lie low

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to use lie low in a sentence

  • The handful that remain lie low and change positions as needed.

  • Rochester had to flee the Court and lie low for a while at his country estate.

    The Best of Brit Lit | Peter Stothard | September 7, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Now I am going to lie low, as I don't want to get my throat cut, but he can find me if I am really needed.

    Fair Margaret | H. Rider Haggard
  • The Bird Woman told her distinctly to lie low and blaze away high, just to help scare them.

    Freckles | Gene Stratton-Porter
  • The proper thing for you to do is to lie low till you've put in an appearance at Mass, and then go round and try for orders.'

    Hyacinth | George A. Birmingham
  • Champney longed to echo it, but thought best to lie low for a while and enjoy the fun so unexpectedly provided.

    Flamsted quarries | Mary E. Waller
  • He had gone quietly to visit Liszt at Weimar, meaning to "lie low" till the storm had blown by.

    Richard Wagner | John F. Runciman