lay back

Related to lay back: lean back, lie back

lay back

1. To put something down in its former position. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lay" and "back." Please lay the dress back the way it was on the bed. I don't want it getting any wrinkles before the ceremony.
2. To cause or help someone to lie, lean, or recline on their back. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lay" and "back." The doctor laid the patient back on the examination table.
3. In sports, especially soccer and rugby, to pass a ball backward to a teammate. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "back." The forward laid the ball back to the midfielder, who belted the ball into the net. She tried to lay back the ball to the scrum-half before being tackled to the ground by number 8 on the opposing team.
4. To lie, lean, or recline on one's back. (In usages 4–6, "lay" is a common and erroneous variant of "lie.") Just lay back on the bed while I go get a damp washcloth for your forehead.
5. To maintain a calm, relaxed, and unperturbed demeanor, especially while waiting for something. Nothing to do now but lay back and wait for our royalty checks to come pouring in.
6. To stay behind and wait before taking action; to hang back. I think we should lay back and see what they do before we go barging in making accusations.
See also: back, lay

lie back

To lean or recline on one's back, as in a chair, sofa, or bed. Just lie back, get comfortable, and tell me what's been on your mind lately. All I want to do this weekend is lie back and read my book.
See also: back, lie
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

laid back

 
1. calm and relaxed. Willie is not what I would call laid back. You are really one laid-back guy!
2. intoxicated. He's a little laid back and can't come to the phone. How can those guys work when they are laid back by noon?
See also: back, laid
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

laid back

1. mod. calm and relaxed. Sam is not what I would call laid back.
2. mod. alcohol or drug intoxicated. He’s a little laid back and can’t come to the phone.
See also: back, laid
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • cut back
  • choke back
  • bring back
  • brush back
  • claw back
  • chop back
  • buck off
  • a while back
  • back over
  • back over (someone or something)
References in classic literature
Colin lay back on his cushion and his eyes grew larger and larger and the spots on his cheeks burned.
And then he lay back on his cushion and was still, as if he were thinking.
Secret Garden
At last she shut the book sharply, lay back, and drew a deep breath, expressive of the wonder which always marks the transition from the imaginary world to the real world.
The Voyage Out
She lay back in the chair, her eyes closed, her mind almost a blank, crushed by a leaden feeling that the end had come to everything.
The Valley of the Moon
I built a little fire of charcoal and lay back on the shelf--
Montana Wedding Day
When not swimming, O'Neill lay back on a sun lounger and enjoyed a drink.
Beach Bhoy; HOLIDAY CELT MEETS REAL FOOTBALLER'S WIFE
You lay back and see what happens, but generally, nevertheless, I come back.
THAT GIRL
And, a little later, I lay back in the raft and watched the arrowlike swoop of a peregrine falcon in the canyon called Hall of the River King.
Harnessing our anger