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to lie

to lie

948 6.8
To be found in a person or thing
  • verb
  • /laɪ/
translation icon : radicar en
  • The solution to the problem lies in understanding the underlying causes.
  • lie ahead
  • lie at the heart
  • lie somewhere

And the question is, what lies ahead in the future?

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Examples

  • The words do not just lie there; they come alive and walk with us.

    Academic text (2013)
  • In that choice lies your growth and freedom.

  • But it is for God to say where that may lie, not you.

  • And the question is, what lies ahead in the future?

  • And in our response lies our growth and freedom.

  • The short answer is that the future of America lies in our education system.

    Academic text (2015)
  • My fortune lies elsewhere and my purpose is clear.

  • The key to this change lies in focusing on product flow through a system.

    Academic text (2015)
  • For much of the world, the religious quest lies at the heart of human dignity.

    Academic text (2008)
  • At the heart of the Israel-Syria negotiations lies a small territory of 20 square kilometers.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to rest
vsto lie
256 5.9

To depend on someone or something for what happens

is about existing or being found rather than depending on something
to lie in
vsto lie
110 6.7

Come from a particular cause or reason

is about existing or being found in a state rather than giving the source

Idioms

24 8.3

A phrase that shows the next thing you say is honest

to live a lie
  • Informal
22 7.2

To hide the truth about yourself by pretending something else is true

11 7.6

Say something that is not true in a bold, obvious way

4 6.9

Avoid talking about old problems to prevent more arguments

The things or activities that matter most to someone

To be someone's fault or responsibility

To accept the bad results of your own choices

Phrasal Verbs

221 1.0

To put your body flat on a bed to rest or sleep

110 6.7

Come from a particular cause or reason

to lie around
  • Informal
43 3.7

To spend time doing nothing useful

to lie in
  • Archaic
35 8.5

Stay in bed for some time after giving birth

22 3.7

To stay in bed and not be able to sleep

to lie low
  • Informal
14 5.6

To stay out of sight to avoid trouble

To be inactive but able to become active again

To hide and wait to attack someone by surprise

6 9.1

To have sex with someone

4 4.0

To spend time resting or doing nothing in one place

1 8.4

To show that something is not true

1 6.6

To rest on a sofa next to someone or while reading

1 7.5

Be clearly the responsibility of a person or group

Compounds

lie detector
  • Specialized
52 4.4

A machine that measures blood pressure, pulse, and breathing to check if someone is lying

white lie
  • Informal
18 3.4

A small untrue statement people tell to avoid hurting someone's feelings

bald-faced lie
  • Informal
3 5.4

An obvious statement that is not true and said without shame

lie detector
  • Neologism
2 3.5

A computer system that checks speech, face, and behaviour to find lies

lie-in
  • UK
1 6.1

Staying in bed later than usual to rest or relax

lie-abed
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who often stays in bed until late in the morning

lie-in
  • UK
7.4

A public protest where people lie down to block access or draw attention

How Prominent

to tower
72 4.6
to stand
1.0
to sit
1.0
to lie
948 6.8

Surface Forms

lie infinitive
lying present participle
lies third person singular
lay past
lain past participle

Etymology

Lie in the sense 'to exist or be found' is the same idea as 'to lie down' — something 'lies' somewhere when it 'rests' there, which is why we say 'beauty lies in...' to mean it is found in that quality.