Re: "Take this lying down"

Posted by R. Berg on August 02, 2003

In Reply to: "Take this lying down" posted by woody on August 01, 2003

: Just watching an old Jimmy Stewart western movie. The citizens of a town are handed out corrupt justice by a crooked local judge. Jimmy asks " dose everybody around here just "take this lying down?". In other words to accept the ruling without questioning it or revolting against it.
: Where did this come from?

From the body language of many mammals, not just humans. Compare the opposite, "stand up for what you believe in" or "stand up for yourself." A wolf that surrenders in a fight will lie down.