From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlie down phrasal verb1 LIE DOWNto put yourself in a position in which your body is flat on the floor or on a bed Just lie down on the bed.2 take something lying down informalACCEPT to accept bad treatment without complaining I’m not going to take this lying down! → lie→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
lie down• Towards evening she grew tired, and went to her room for a lie down.• You look really tired. Why don't you go and lie down for a while?• I didn't feel very well, so I lay down on the bed and tried to rest.• During the day, I get so tired I have to lie down on the bed for a couple of hours.• For this exercise, it is best to lie down, or sit with both feet on the floor.take something lying down• And, on yer bike: The charity rider who's taking it all lying down.• Carl however was too active mentally to take this lying down.• Mr Estrada has not taken the storm lying down.• The Socialists, though, are not taking it lying down.• They're not taking it lying down.• But Will took it lying down - all in a good cause of course.• Perhaps you're not a person to take criticism lying down and you have had some sharp exchanges with your friend.• They are not taking things lying down as many other Third World people tend to do.• We are not going to take this verdict lying down. There will be protests.lie downˈlie down noun [singular] British English LIE DOWNa short rest, usually on a bed I’m going upstairs to have a lie down.Examples from the Corpus
have a lie down• If I get too tired I might just have a lie down and have a little kip. 