Quick answer: The correct phrase is “lying low” when you mean keeping a low profile or staying out of sight. “Laying low” is grammatically incorrect in this context because “laying” requires a direct object# Laying or Lying Low: The Grammar Rule You Need to Stop Mixing Up
Quick answer: Use lying low when you are resting, hiding, or staying out of sight. Use laying low only if you are physically placing an object down in a low position. For the common idiom meaning “to keep a low profile,” lying is always the correct choice because it is an intransitive verb that does not take a direct object.
If you have ever paused mid-sentence while drafting an email or texting a friend, wondering whether you should say you are “laying low” or “lying low,” you are not alone. This is one of the most persistent errors in modern English, even among native speakers who otherwise have a strong command of grammar. The confusion stems from the overlapping past tenses and similar sounds of the verbs lie and lay. However, the distinction is rigid, and getting it wrong can make your writing look unpolished or careless. I have corrected this specific mistake in countless resumes, cover letters, and corporate communications over the last decade. The good news is that once you understand the core mechanical difference—whether there is an object being acted upon—the choice becomes automatic.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Lying low | Resting, reclining, or hiding; no direct object follows the verb. | “I am lying low this weekend to recover from the flu.” |
| Laying low | Placing something down in a low position; requires a direct object. | “He is laying the tiles low against the floor edge.” |
When to use lying low
The verb lie means to rest or recline. It is an intransitive verb, which is a grammatical way of saying it does not act upon an object. You cannot “lie” something. You simply lie. When you add the word “low” to create the idiom “lying low,” you are describing a state of being hidden, quiet, or inactive.
In the context of the idiom, “lying low” suggests avoiding attention or staying out of trouble. It implies a passive state where the subject is not doing anything to anyone else. Because there is no object receiving the action, lie is the only grammatically correct option. The present participle form is lying.
Consider these real-world examples where lying low is the required form:
- In a text message to a boss: “I’m going to be lying low today while I wait for the test results to come back.” (Here, you are describing your own state of inactivity.)
- In a novel or story: “The suspect was lying low in a motel outside the city limits.” (The suspect is hiding; he is not placing an object down.)
- In casual conversation: “After the controversy on social media, she decided to start lying low for a few weeks.” (She is avoiding attention.)
It is crucial to note that the spelling changes from lie to lying. We drop the “e” and add “ing.” This spelling shift often trips people up, leading them to guess at laying instead. But remember: if you are doing the resting or hiding yourself, you are lying.
When to use laying low
The verb lay means to put or place something down. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. You must lay something. If you can ask “Lay what?” after the verb, then lay is the correct root word. The present participle form is laying.
While “laying low” is almost never the correct choice for the idiom about hiding, it is grammatically valid in very specific physical contexts where you are placing an object in a low position. In these rare cases, “low” acts as an adverb or adjective describing how the object is being placed.
Here are examples where laying is correct because an object is involved:
- In construction or DIY instructions: “The carpenter is laying the baseboards low to ensure they fit under the door frame.” (He is placing the baseboards.)
- In gardening: “She is laying the mulch low around the roots to protect them from frost.” (She is placing the mulch.)
- In a literal physical description: “He is laying his head low on the pillow to sleep.” (He is placing his head.)
Notice the pattern in every example above? There is a thing being moved: baseboards, mulch, a head. If you remove the object, the sentence falls apart. “He is laying low” makes no sense unless we know what he is laying. In contrast, “He is lying low” stands perfectly on its own because the action is self-contained.
For the vast majority of daily communication, especially when discussing behavior, health, or social strategy, you will want lying low. The use of laying low is restricted to physical placement tasks. If you are not holding an object and putting it down, do not use laying.
How to remember the difference
The most effective way to lock this rule into your memory is to use the “P” test. This is a trick I teach to every junior editor I mentor.
Lie has no P. Lay has a P (if you think of the word Place).
If you can replace the verb with “place” or “put,” use lay.
- “I am [placing] the book on the table.” -> “I am laying the book on the table.”
- “I am [placing] low.” -> This makes no sense. Therefore, laying is wrong.
If you cannot replace the verb with “place,” use lie.
- “I am [resting] on the sofa.” -> “I am lying on the sofa.”
- “I am [hiding] from the press.” -> “I am lying low.”
Another helpful mnemonic involves the word recumbent. Both lie and recumbent contain the letter I. When you are recumbent (reclining), you are lying. The word lay contains an A, which can stand for Action upon an object. If you are taking action on an item, you are laying it.
For the specific phrase “lying low,” think of the word life. You are living your life quietly. Life and lie both start with L and end with a vowel sound that doesn’t require an object. Lay feels heavier, like you are carrying a burden (an object) and setting it down. When you are lying low, you are lightening your load by doing nothing. You are not moving anything else.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The most common mistake is using laying in the past tense or present continuous tense when referring to oneself. You might see sentences like “I was laying in bed all day” or “I am laying low this week.” These are incorrect in standard edited English. While they are frequent in colloquial speech and some dialects, they will be flagged as errors in professional writing, academic papers, and formal correspondence.
The Past Tense Trap
The confusion worsens when we look at the past tense, because the forms swap in a way that feels counterintuitive.
- Present: I lie down. / I lay the book down.
- Past: I lay down. / I laid the book down.
- Past Participle: I have lain down. / I have laid the book down.
Notice that the past tense of lie is lay. This is the primary source of the chaos. When someone says, “Yesterday, I lay in bed,” they are actually correct. But because lay is also the present tense of the other verb, people get confused and start using laid or laying incorrectly for the resting meaning.
For the idiom “lying low,” the past tense is lay low.
- Correct: “I lay low during the storm yesterday.”
- Incorrect: “I laid low during the storm yesterday.” (Unless you placed an object low.)
- Incorrect: “I lied low during the storm yesterday.” (Lied is the past tense of lie meaning to tell a falsehood, not to recline.)
This distinction is vital. If you say you “lied low,” you are accidentally saying you told a lie while being low, which is nonsensical. If you say you “laid low,” you are implying you placed something down. If you mean you hid or rested, you must say you lay low in the past, or were lying low in the continuous sense.
US vs. UK Differences
There is no significant difference between American and British English regarding the core grammar of lie vs. lay. Both varieties strictly distinguish between the intransitive lie and the transitive lay in formal writing. However, colloquial usage in both regions has seen a rise in the use of lay for lie (“I’m going to lay down”). While descriptive linguists note this shift, prescriptive style guides (such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and AP) all maintain the traditional distinction. As a professional writer, you should adhere to the traditional rule regardless of your location to ensure maximum clarity and credibility.
A Note on Related Concepts
While this article focuses on grammar, it is worth noting that the word lying appears in other contexts. For instance, the concept of Lying as a moral or ethical issue involves making false statements. This is a different verb entirely (to lie meaning to speak falsely), but it shares the same present participle spelling (lying). Context usually makes the meaning clear. If you are talking about deception, you are lying (telling lies). If you are talking about hiding or resting, you are lying (reclining). Neither of these involves laying.
Similarly, the phrase “laying on of hands” is a specific religious or healing ritual. As noted in historical and religious texts, such as the entry on Laying on of hands, this phrase uses laying because it involves the physical act of placing hands upon someone. Here, the hands are the object being placed. This is a perfect example of the transitive rule: you are laying hands (object) on someone. You are not “lying hands.” This reinforces the rule: if there is an object (hands), use laying. If there is no object (you are just hiding), use lying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever okay to say “laying low” in casual text messages? While many people use “laying low” in informal texts, it is technically incorrect. If you want to maintain a sharp, educated tone even in casual settings, stick to “lying low.” It signals that you have a good grasp of standard grammar.
What is the past tense of “lying low”? The past tense is “lay low.” For example, “I lay low all weekend.” Do not use “laid low” unless you are talking about placing an object down, and do not use “lied low” as that refers to telling falsehoods.
Why do so many native speakers get this wrong? The primary reason is that the past tense of lie is lay, which is identical to the present tense of lay. This overlap creates constant confusion. Additionally, lay is often used dialectally as an intransitive verb, reinforcing the error through daily exposure.
Can I use “laying low” if I am putting my phone down? Yes, but you would need to specify the object. You could say, “I am laying my phone low on the table.” However, this is an awkward phrasing. Most people would simply say, “I am putting my phone down.” If you mean you are ignoring your phone to hide from notifications, you are “lying low” digitally, not laying anything.
Kevin Sanchez holds a Master’s degree in English Linguistics from the University of California, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for the intricacies of language. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Kevin specializes in the nuances of English spelling, particularly the evolution of spelling conventions over time. His fascination with how English words have transformed through cultural and technological influences led him to become a prominent voice at SpellRightDaily. Kevin produces content focused on historical spelling variations and their contemporary implications, offering readers insightful comparisons of British and American English. Beyond this, Kevin has a keen interest in educating readers about the rules that govern standard spelling and the exceptions that often lead to confusion. His articles frequently feature tips for mastering complex spelling patterns and understanding the etymology of perplexing words. Kevin’s dedication to clarity and accessibility makes his contributions invaluable to both casual readers and English language professionals.