lie up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (somewhat dated/idiomatic)Informal (medical/nautical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “lie up” mean?
To stay in bed or rest indoors for an extended period, especially due to illness or injury.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To stay in bed or rest indoors for an extended period, especially due to illness or injury.
To take a vessel (ship, boat) out of service and secure it in a harbour or dock. To be inactive or out of use for a period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'rest due to illness' sense is primarily British; Americans would typically use 'stay in bed,' 'be laid up,' or 'be confined to bed.' The nautical sense is shared but specialized.
Connotations
In British usage, it often carries a doctor's order or necessity. In American usage, if used at all, it might sound old-fashioned or directly borrowed from British sources.
Frequency
Uncommon in modern American English. Moderately low and somewhat dated in British English, but still understood.
Grammar
How to Use “lie up” in a Sentence
[Person] + lie up + (for [duration])[Person] + lie up + with + [illness][Vessel] + lie up + (in [place])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lie up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the operation, you'll need to lie up completely for a fortnight.
- The doctor told him to lie up with that chest infection.
- Where will the ferry lie up during the storm?
American English
- The ship will lie up in dry dock for repairs. (nautical)
- (Medical sense rare; likely rephrased: He's been laid up with a bad knee.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally: 'The project manager is lying up with flu, so the meeting is postponed.'
Academic
Unlikely, except in historical/nautical studies describing ships.
Everyday
Informal British use for illness: 'Mum's got a bad back and has to lie up for a few days.'
Technical
Nautical: 'We'll lie the yacht up in Southampton for the winter.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lie up”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lie up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lie up”
- Using it for short rests (e.g., 'I'll lie up for an hour'). Confusing it with 'lay up' (which is transitive: 'to lay someone up'). Using it in American English where 'be laid up' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Lie up' is intransitive (the subject rests). 'Lay up' is usually transitive (you lay *something* up, e.g., a ship, or an injury lays *you* up). 'Be laid up' is a common passive form equivalent to 'lie up'.
No. It specifically implies a prolonged period of rest, often medically advised, not a brief sleep.
It is informal, though the nautical use can be technical. In formal medical writing, terms like 'convalesce' or 'be confined to bed' are preferred.
They might understand it from context, especially the nautical sense. For illness, it sounds distinctly British. The American equivalent is usually 'be laid up' or 'stay in bed'.
To stay in bed or rest indoors for an extended period, especially due to illness or injury.
Lie up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: When you LIE UP in bed, you're UP for a long rest, not getting UP.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS A FORCE THAT CONFINES (to bed). INACTIVITY IS STORAGE (nautical).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'lie up' most commonly used in British English?