Quick answer: Use lying low when you are reclining or hiding. Use laying low only if you are physically placing an object down. For the idiom meaning “to stay out of sight,” the correct phrase is always lying low.
I have corrected this specific error in thousands of manuscripts, from junior copywriters’ drafts to executive emails. The confusion between laying and lying is the single most persistent grammatical headache in the English language. When you add the word “low” to the mix, creating the common idiom for staying hidden or resting, the mistake becomes even more frequent. People want to say they are “laying low” after a busy week, but unless they are physically placing a carpet on the floor, they are doing it wrong. This article will fix that habit for good.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Lying low | Reclining, resting, or hiding (intransitive). No direct object follows. | “I am lying low this weekend to recover from the flu.” |
| Laying low | Placing something down flat (transitive). Requires a direct object. | “He is laying the tiles low against the subfloor.” |
When to use lying low
The verb lie means to rest in a flat position or to be situated. It is an intransitive verb, which means it does not take a direct object. You cannot “lie” something; you simply lie. When we use the phrase “lying low,” we are using the present participle of lie.
This phrase has two distinct meanings. The first is literal: you are physically reclining. The second is figurative: you are keeping a low profile, avoiding attention, or hiding. In both cases, the subject is performing the action on themselves. There is no other object involved.
Consider these examples where lying low is the only correct choice:
- “After the scandal broke, the CEO decided to start lying low until the media attention died down.”
- “My dog loves lying low on the cool kitchen tiles during the summer heat.”
- “I’ve been lying low on social media lately because I need a digital detox.”
Notice that in every instance, no one is placing anything else down. The subject is merely existing in a horizontal or hidden state. If you can replace the phrase with “resting” or “hiding,” you must use lying.
When to use laying low
The verb lay means to put or place something down. It is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object. You must lay something. You cannot just “lay.” You lay a book, you lay a foundation, you lay the law down.
Therefore, the phrase “laying low” is grammatically valid only if you are in the process of placing an object into a low position. This is a rare construction in everyday conversation, which is why it sounds so awkward to native ears when used incorrectly in the context of hiding or resting.
Here are the few scenarios where laying low is actually correct:
- “The landscaper is laying the sod low to ensure it integrates with the surrounding grass.”
- “She was laying her cards low on the table, trying not to reveal her hand too early.”
- “He is laying the groundwork low and wide to support the heavy structure.”
In each of these sentences, there is a clear object being acted upon: the sod, the cards, the groundwork. If you remove the object, the sentence falls apart. You cannot say, “The landscaper is laying low.” That implies the landscaper is placing himself down, which brings us back to lying.
To understand the depth of this confusion, it helps to look at how language evolves. While lying refers to the act of reclining, other forms of deception or positioning have their own nuanced histories. For instance, the concept of Lying as a speech act involves intent to deceive, whereas lying low is about physical or social positioning. However, in grammar, the distinction remains rigid: lie is for the self, lay is for objects.
How to remember the difference
I have taught this rule to hundreds of students, and the one mnemonic that sticks every time is the P test.
Lay requires a Place. Lie does not.
If you can insert the word “it” or “them” after the verb, you need lay.
- “I am going to lay (it) down.” -> Works. Use lay.
- “I am going to lie (it) down.” -> Fails. Use lie.
For the specific phrase “lying low,” try the R test. Can you replace the verb with Resting?
- “I am resting low.” -> Makes sense. Use lying.
- “I am placing low.” -> Nonsense. Do not use laying.
Another editor-level trick is to look at the past tense. This is where most people trip up because the past tense of lie is lay. Yes, you read that correctly.
- Present: I lie down.
- Past: I lay down yesterday.
- Present Participle: I am lying down now.
The present participle lying never changes. It is always lying. The word laying is exclusively the present participle of lay (to place). If you are doing it right now, and you aren’t holding an object, it is lying.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The most common mistake I see is in professional correspondence. People want to sound relaxed or casual, so they write, “I’m laying low this week.” It looks informal, but to a trained eye, it looks illiterate. It suggests the writer does not know the basic transitive/intransitive distinction.
Here are three real-world examples I have corrected recently, showing the error and the fix:
Email to a boss:
- Incorrect: “Hi Sarah, I’m feeling under the weather so I’ll be laying low today.”
- Correct: “Hi Sarah, I’m feeling under the weather so I’ll be lying low today.”
- Why: The employee is resting. There is no object being placed.
Resume/Cover Letter:
- Incorrect: “During my sabbatical, I spent months laying low and writing my novel.”
- Correct: “During my sabbatical, I spent months lying low and writing my novel.”
- Why: The writer was hiding/resting. Using “laying” here undermines the professionalism of the document.
Text Message:
- Incorrect: “Party was crazy. Laying low tonight.”
- Correct: “Party was crazy. Lying low tonight.”
- Why: Even in casual texts, precision matters. It takes the same effort to type the extra ‘i’, and it signals attention to detail.
The “Laying on of Hands” Exception
There is a specific religious and medical phrase that often confuses people: the “laying on of hands.” This is a correct usage of laying because it is a gerund phrase derived from the transitive verb lay. You are placing your hands on someone. The hands are the object being placed.
the Laying on of hands is a ritualistic practice found in many cultures. Note the structure: Laying [object: hands] on [target]. This is fundamentally different from lying low, where the subject is merely existing in a state of rest. Do not let this exception bleed into your daily usage. You are not performing a ritual on yourself when you stay home on a Saturday; you are simply lying low.
US vs UK Differences
There is no difference between American and British English regarding this rule. Both varieties strictly distinguish between lie (recline) and lay (place). However, colloquial speech in both regions has seen a rise in the incorrect use of laying for lying. This is known as “hypercorrection” or simply linguistic drift. While you may hear native speakers say “I’m laying down,” it is still considered non-standard in formal writing. As a writer, your job is to adhere to standard grammar, not to mimic casual errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “laying low” ever correct for hiding? No. If you are hiding, resting, or keeping a low profile, you are lying low. “Laying low” is only correct if you are physically placing an object down.
Why do so many people say “laying low”? It is likely due to the confusing past tense of lie, which is lay. Because people say “I lay in bed yesterday,” they mistakenly assume the present continuous form is “laying.” It is not; the present continuous is always lying.
Can I use “laying low” in casual text messages? You can, but it is grammatically incorrect. If you want to maintain a reputation for strong communication skills, even in casual settings, you should use lying low. It is a small change that makes a big difference in perceived competence.
What is the past tense of “lying low”? The past tense is lay low. For example: “Yesterday, I lay low to avoid my neighbors.” Note that this is identical to the present tense of lay (to place), which adds to the confusion. Context is key. If there is no object, it is the past tense of lie.
Kimberly Sanchez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from UCLA and has spent over a decade working as a language consultant and educator. Her journey in the world of words began with a curiosity about how language shapes our perception of the world. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for making complex concepts accessible, Kimberly specializes in the nuances of English word comparisons and their real-world implications. She joined WordCompareHub to share her insights on frequently confused words and to promote a deeper understanding of language accuracy. Kimberly writes content that is both enlightening and practical, aimed at readers who seek to enhance their communication skills. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid reader and enjoys exploring multilingual environments to observe linguistic diversity in action.