Definition of the word lie around

The phrase "lie around" is a phrasal verb that has its origins in Early Modern English. Phrasal verbs are made up of a verb and a preposition or an adverb, and they have unique idiomatic meanings. In the case of "lie around," "lie" is the main verb, meaning to be in a horizontal position without any support, and "around" is the preposition, which means "in different places" or "spread out." When the two words are combined, "lie around" means to be in a horizontal position and placed in different locations, implying that a person or object is not doing anything useful or productive. The usage of this idiom can be traced back to 16th century texts, such as William Shakespeare's play "Henry VI, Part I," where the character Catesby says, "The duke of York both lie about the town," which means that the duke of York is resting in various places around the town. Over time, this phrase has become a commonly used idiom in modern English, and its meaning has remained mostly the same. Today, "lie around" is a colloquial and slightly informal way to describe someone who is idle or not engaged in any activity. In summary, "lie around" originated around the 16th century, and its use has persisted over time due to the simplicity and clarity of its meaning when two commonly used words combine to convey an idiomatic expression in English.