lie about
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle about
Meanings
Be left untidily in various places
Why “about”? Movement has no clear target. It goes in many places, not to one set point.
“Toys were lying about the room.”
“Tools lay about all over the garage.”
Tell untruths concerning a subject
Why “about”? Your attention stays around one subject. That subject is what you talk or think about.
“She lied about her age.”
“Tom lied about where he was.”
Don't confuse with
Lie about means be left untidily in various places. Lie behind means be the underlying cause of something visible.
Test yourself
“Toys were lying about the room.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lie behind
A contrast learners often mix up
Be the underlying cause of something visible
agonise about
Same about pattern: topic
Worry intensely and at length over a decision
argue about
Same about pattern: topic
Disagree verbally concerning a topic
ask about
Same about pattern: topic
Make enquiries concerning something
boast about
Same about pattern: topic
Speak with excessive pride concerning something
bother about
Same about pattern: topic
Take the trouble to attend to something
care about
Same about pattern: topic
Feel concern or interest in something
complain about
Same about pattern: topic
Express dissatisfaction concerning something
Practice “lie about” in Sink In
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