🐮 Take It Lying Down: The Art of Silent Submission 🛏️
Definition
Take it lying down, to - To submit to insult or oppression without resistance. The image conveyed by this expression is that of a cowed animal, which accepts its unhappy fate instead of jumping up in protest. First seen in the late nineteenth century, this metaphor is most often used negatively.
Origins
This idiom makes its notable appearance in George Bernard Shaw’s play Androcles and the Lion (1914): “I should feel ashamed if I let myself be struck like that, and took it lying down.”
Synonyms & Antonyms
- Synonyms: Accept without a fight, tolerate, endure, bear stoically, surrender meekly, roll over and play dead
- Antonyms: Fight back, stand up to, resist, challenge, oppose, rebel
Similar Expressions, Proverbs, Sentiments
- Expressions: Grin and bear it, take it on the chin, take one’s lumps, tough it out
- Proverbs: “Turn the other cheek” (leave retaliation to others)
- Humor-filled Quote: “Sometimes you have to take the high road, and sometimes, you have to take the road where ninjas flip out and cut off heads—which is to say, don’t always take it lying down.” - W. T. Wittywords
- Reference: George Bernard Shaw’s Androcles and the Lion (1914)
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, Movies
- Literature: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (For mastery in not taking vengeance lying down)
- Books: And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou (Inspiration to rise against adversity)
- Songs: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor (Motivation to fight back)
- Poetry: Invictus by William Ernest Henley (“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”)
- Movies: Rocky series (For ultimate resilience and fighting back)
Quizzes
### Which of the following means to resist rather than submit?
- [ ] Take it lying down
- [x] Stand up to
- [ ] Tolerate
- [ ] Surrender meekly
> **Explanation:** "Stand up to" means resisting or opposing someone or something, unlike taking it lying down.
### True or False: "Take it lying down" means to actively resist insult.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. "Take it lying down" means to submit to insult or oppression without resistance.
### Identify the synonym for "take it lying down":
- [ ] Fight back
- [ ] Challenge
- [ ] Stand up to
- [x] Endure
> **Explanation:** "Endure" means to tolerate or bear something unpleasant, akin to taking it lying down.
Dear reader, never let life’s punches keep you down. Rise, resist, and always strive to stand up for yourself.
Your linguistic journey is just beginning,
C. J. Cleverclaws
