lay low

== English == === Etymology 1 === ==== Verb ==== lay low (third-person singular simple present lays low, present participle laying low, simple past and past participle laid low) (transitive) To topple or overcome; to cause to fall; (of a person) to knock out. (transitive) To put in an abject condition. === Etymology 2 === ==== Verb ==== lay low (third-person singular simple present lays low, present participle laying low, simple past and past participle laid low or lay low) (informal, sometimes proscribed) To lie low, to be inconspicuous, especially when the potential object of search. 1969, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”, Bridge over Troubled Water, Columbia Records: Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters Where the ragged people go === Etymology 3 === ==== Verb ==== lay low simple past of lie low ===== Usage notes ===== The verb to lay is a transitive verb, which means it requires an object (such as an egg). In this case the word 'low' could be substituted for any prepositional phrase, such as in the straw. Future: 'The hen is going to lay an egg low.' Present: 'The hen is laying an egg low.' Past: 'The hen laid an egg low.' Past perfect: 'The hen had laid an egg low.' The alternation between lie low and lay low stems from the fact that the past tense of to lie (intransitive verb) is lay; whereas the past tense of to lay (transitive verb) is laid. Also, in this case lie low is an idiom so both words must be used together; this is consistent with many other idioms, such as 'hurry up,' for example. ===== Synonyms ===== (to remain hidden): lie low