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Glite Dictionary
where one's interests lie

where one's interests lie

1 6.2
The things or activities that matter most to someone
  • idiom
translation icon : donde están los intereses
  • In discussing career choices, it's important to consider where your interests lie, as this will affect your job satisfaction.

Examples

  • Many students choose their majors based on where their interests lie, ensuring they are engaged in their studies.

  • She enjoys various subjects, but her passion is in art, which is where her interests lie.

  • So no matter where your interests lie.

    Blog text (31)

  • "That's where my interest lies."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Who you are usually determines how you're doing and where your interests lie: identity and interest are fused.

    Academic text (2003)

  • In his own words, Neill describes the school as a "free school"—free meaning that Summerhill is a place where children can discover who they are and where their interests lie, in the safety of a self-governing, democratic community.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

area
vswhere one's interests lie
752 2.0

A subject people study, like biology or history

is about which subject or activity matters most or gives advantage
territory
vswhere one's interests lie
190 4.8

An area of knowledge or activity, for example history and music

is about what matters most or gives a person advantage
niche
vswhere one's interests lie
107 5.5

A job or area where someone can be successful

is about what matters most or gives advantage rather than suitability

Surface Forms

where one's interests lie main

Morphology

where + one + interest + lie

The phrase combines 'where' (asking location), 'interests' (areas of concern or preference) and 'lie' in the sense 'be located/inhere', so the overall meaning ('what someone is interested in' or 'what matters to them') is directly derivable from the constituents. This abstract locative use of 'lie' is common and mirrors constructions in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the component words would very likely infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Where one's interests lie uses interests for the things that matter to you and lie in the sense of 'to be located'. Imagine a map showing the place where your interests sit, and you can see why it means the area or activities most important or useful to someone.