ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lie around

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford Informal

phr. v.. to spend time doing nothing or relaxing, often in a lazy way.

phr. v.. to remain in a particular place without moving or working, often implying inactivity or idleness; typically intransitive and separable.


SIMPLE

I like to lie around on weekends.

CONTEXTUAL

After finishing his work, he decided to lie around and watch TV all afternoon.

COMPLEX

The students, having completed their exams, spent the following week lying around and enjoying the sunshine.

Particles
around
Separability
separable
Pattern
lie + around (intransitive)
Usage

intransitive; no object required, but can be separated in some contexts.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'lie down' (to recline intentionally) and 'laze around' (a near-synonym with a slightly more negative connotation).

Pitfall

He lied around the house all day.He lay around the house all day.'lie' is the correct past tense form, not 'lied', which is the past of 'to lie' (to tell a falsehood).

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