Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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Definition
lie verb (POSITION)
/laɪ/ v
•
[I + adverb or preposition L] (lying, lay, lain) to be in or move into a horizontal position on a surface
to lie in bed
to lie on a beach
to lie on your side
A cat lay in front of the fire.
He lies awake at night, worrying.
A pen lay on the desk.
•
[I + adverb or preposition L] (lying, lay, lain) If something lies in a particular place, position or direction, it is in that place, position or direction
There's an old pair of shoes of yours lying at/in the bottom of the wardrobe.
The river lies 30km to the south.
Cambridge United are lying third in the league.
Here lies the body of Mary Taylor (= This is where Mary Taylor is buried).
There are several houses lying empty in the town.
The town lay in ruins.
The ship lies off (= is positioned near) the coast of Spain.
•
[I + adverb or preposition] (lying, lay, lain) to exist
The hardest part of the competition still lies ahead of us.
•
[I usually + adverb or preposition] (lying, lay, lain) If responsibility, blame, a decision, a choice, etc. lies with someone, they have responsibility, must make the decision, etc.
Responsibility for the disaster must ultimately lie with the government.
Where does the blame lie?
lie in state
When the dead body of an important person lies in state, it is arranged so that the public can see and honour it before it is buried.
(Definition of lie verb (POSITION) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
