not take something lying down
not take (something) lying down
To refuse to accept or endure something without struggle, resistance, or opposition. You can't take that kind of defiance from a subordinate lying down if you want other people in the office to respect you. The workers decided that they wouldn't take the proposed pay cuts lying down.
See also: down, lying, not, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
not take something lying down
COMMON If something bad is happening and you say that you will not take it lying down, you mean that you will complain about it or fight against it. It is clear that he means to push everyone out who does not agree with him, and I for one am not going to take it lying down. They still say there's nothing wrong at all with their systems. I don't take these things lying down, so I complained several times by letter.
See also: down, lying, not, something, take
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- not take (something) lying down
- take (something) lying down
- take lying down
- take something lying down
- go without
- not stand the sight of (someone or something)
- get along without
- bear the sight of (someone or something)
- coating
- go out to (someone)