Lie vs. Rest — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 30, 2024
Lie involves positioning oneself horizontally, typically for relaxation or sleep, whereas rest encompasses a broader range of activities aiming for relaxation, recovery, or inactivity.
Difference Between Lie and Rest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When we talk about "lie," we refer specifically to the act of placing oneself in a horizontal position, often on a surface like a bed or the ground. This action is primarily associated with the intent to sleep, relax, or sometimes as part of an exercise routine. On the other hand, "rest" denotes a more inclusive set of activities aimed at rejuvenating or pausing from physical or mental exertion. Rest can involve lying down but also includes sitting, lounging, or any other low-energy activity that aids recovery.
"Lie" demands a physical change in posture with the clear intention of being horizontal. This action can be part of a daily routine, such as lying in bed before sleep. Whereas "rest" is not limited by specific postures and can be achieved in various settings and positions, emphasizing the purpose over the physical stance.
The usage of "lie" is often specific to physical positions and can be directive in nature, as in instructions for health or fitness regimes. Conversely, "rest" encompasses a broader spectrum of well-being, including mental rest, emotional relaxation, and the cessation of all activity that requires significant effort.
"Lie" is more commonly used in a literal sense to describe a physical state, while "rest" carries a wider range of connotations, including metaphorical ones, to describe pauses in activities, breaks in work, or periods of silence.
The differentiation also extends to grammar and tense. "Lie" changes forms from lie-lay-lain, depending on the tense, which can sometimes confuse learners of English. Rest, however, maintains a more straightforward conjugation, making it easier to use across different contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To assume a horizontal position
To cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength
Physical Position
Primarily horizontal
Any position comfortable for relaxation
Context
Sleeping, relaxing, or as part of exercise
Broadly includes any form of relaxation or recovery
Usage
More specific and literal
Broader, including metaphorical uses
Grammar/Tense
Changes with tense (lie, lay, lain)
More straightforward (rest, rested, resting)
Compare with Definitions
Lie
To be in or assume a horizontal position.
He lay on the beach enjoying the sun.
Rest
To be placed or supported by something else.
The ladder rests against the wall.
Lie
To remain in a flat position on a surface.
The books lie untouched on the shelf.
Rest
To be without motion.
The lake rested calm under the moonlight.
Lie
To create a flat base or groundwork.
The foundation lies beneath the soil.
Rest
To depend or rely on.
The final decision rests with the committee.
Lie
To place oneself in a flat position against a surface.
She likes to lie on the sofa to read her book.
Rest
To pause from work or exertion.
He rests on Sundays to prepare for the week ahead.
Lie
To tell an untruth intentionally.
It's wrong to lie about your age.
Rest
To cease work or movement to relax or recover.
You should rest after running a marathon.
Lie
A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying.
Rest
Cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength
He needed to rest after the feverish activity
I'm going to rest up before travelling to England
Lie
(of a person or animal) be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface
I had to lie down because I was groggy
The body lay face downwards on the grass
Lily lay back on the pillows and watched him
Rest
Be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position
Her elbow was resting on the arm of the sofa
Lie
Be, remain, or be kept in a specified state
Putting homeless families into private houses that would otherwise lie empty
The abbey lies in ruins today
Rest
Be based on; depend on
The country's security rested on its alliances
Lie
(of a place) be situated in a specified position or direction
Kexby lies about five miles due east of York
Rest
Conclude presentation of either party's case in a suit or prosecution
The prosecution rests
Lie
(of an action, charge, or claim) be admissible or sustainable
An action for restitution would lie for money paid in breach of the law
Rest
Remain or be left in a specified condition
You can rest assured she will do everything she can
Lie
Tell a lie or lies
‘I am sixty-five,’ she lied
Why had Ashenden lied about his visit to London?
Rest
An instance or period of resting
A couple of days of complete rest
You look as though you need a rest
Lie
The way, direction, or position in which something lies
He was familiarizing himself with the lie of the streets
Rest
An interval of silence of a specified duration.
Lie
An intentionally false statement
The whole thing is a pack of lies
They hint rather than tell outright lies
Rest
An object that is used to support something
A shoulder rest
Lie
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline
He lay under a tree to sleep.
Rest
The remaining part of something
What do you want to do for the rest of your life?
I'll tell you the rest tomorrow night
Lie
To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal
Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
Rest
A small, detached portion of an organ or tissue.
Lie
To be or remain in a specified condition
The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
Rest
A rally in real tennis.
Lie
To exist; reside
Our sympathies lie with the plaintiff.
Rest
A period of inactivity, relaxation, or sleep:The hikers stopped for a rest.
Lie
To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
Rest
Sleep or the refreshment resulting from inactivity or sleep:Get plenty of rest before the race.
Lie
To occupy a position or place
The lake lies beyond this hill.
Rest
Mental or emotional calm:The news put my mind at rest.
Lie
To extend
Our land lies between these trees and the river.
Rest
The state of being motionless; the absence of motion:The car accelerates quickly from a state of rest.
Lie
To be buried in a specified place.
Rest
The condition of being settled or resolved:a remark that put the matter to rest.
Lie
(Law) To be admissible or maintainable.
Rest
An interval of silence corresponding to one of the possible time values within a measure.
Lie
(Archaic) To stay for a night or short while.
Rest
The mark or symbol indicating such a pause and its length.
Lie
To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
Rest
A short pause in a line of poetry; a caesura.
Lie
To convey a false image or impression
Appearances often lie.
Rest
A device used as a support:a back rest.
Lie
To say or write as a lie.
Rest
(Games)See bridge1.
Lie
The manner or position in which something is situated.
Rest
The part that is left over after something has been removed; remainder.
Lie
A haunt or hiding place of an animal.
Rest
That or those remaining
The beginning was boring, but the rest was interesting. The rest are arriving later.
Lie
(Sports) The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.
Rest
To cease motion, work, or activity, especially in order to become refreshed:The laborers rested in the shade.
Lie
A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
Rest
To lie down and sleep:rested for an hour on the couch.
Lie
Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true
Learned his parents had been swindlers and felt his whole childhood had been a lie.
Rest
To be in or come to a motionless state:The can rolled along, finally resting when it hit the curb.
Lie
(intransitive) To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
The book lies on the table;
The snow lies on the roof;
He lies in his coffin
Rest
To be located or be in a specified place:The manuscript rests in the museum.
Lie
(intransitive) To be placed or situated.
Rest
To be fixed or directed on something:His gaze rested on the necklace.
Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
To lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Rest
To be unchanged or unresolved:After arguing for an hour, we let the matter rest.
Lie
Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
Rest
To be supported or based; lie, lean, or sit:The ladder rests firmly anst the tree.
Lie
Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
Rest
To be imposed or vested, as a responsibility or burden:The final decision rests with the crperson.
Lie
(archaic) To lodge; to sleep.
Rest
To depend or rely:That argument rests on a false assumption.
Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
Rest
(Law)To complete the n presentation of one's portion of a legal case:The defense rests.
Lie
(legal) To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
Rest
To cause or allow to be inactive or relaxed so as to ren energy:The coach rested his best players. I rested my eyes before studying.
Lie
(intransitive) To give false information intentionally with intent to deceive.
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
While a principle-based approach might claim that lying is always morally wrong, the casuist would argue that, depending upon the details of the case, lying might or might not be illegal or unethical. The casuist might conclude that a person is wrong to lie in legal testimony under oath, but might argue that lying actually is the best moral choice if the lie saves a life.
Rest
To place, lay, or lean, as for support or repose:rested the rake anst the fence.
Lie
(intransitive) To convey a false image or impression.
Photographs often lie.
Rest
To base or ground:I rested my conclusion on that fact.
Lie
To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.
Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.
Rest
To fix or direct (the gaze, for example).
Lie
(golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.
Rest
(Law)To complete the n presentation of (one's portion of a case):The prosecutor was not ready to rest her case.
Lie
(disc golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.
Rest
To be or continue to be; remain
Rest assured that we will finish on time.
Lie
(medicine) The position of a fetus in the womb.
Rest
To remain or be left over.
Lie
A manner of lying; relative position.
Rest
Relief from work or activity by sleeping; sleep.
I need to get a good rest tonight; I was up late last night.
The sun sets, and the workers go to their rest.
Lie
An animal's lair.
Rest
(countable) Any relief from exertion; a state of quiet and relaxation.
We took a rest at the top of the hill to get our breath back.
Lie
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
Rest
(uncountable) Peace; freedom from worry, anxiety, annoyances; tranquility.
It was nice to have a rest from the phone ringing when I unplugged it for a while.
Lie
A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true.
Rest
A state of inactivity; a state of little or no motion; a state of completion.
The boulder came to rest just behind the house after rolling down the mountain.
The ocean was finally at rest.
Now that we're all in agreement, we can put that issue to rest.
Lie
(by extension) Anything that misleads or disappoints.
Rest
A pause of a specified length in a piece of music.
Remember there's a rest at the end of the fourth bar.
Lie
See Lye.
Rest
A written symbol indicating such a pause in a musical score such as in sheet music.
Lie
A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive.
The proper notion of a lie is an endeavoring to deceive another by signifying that to him as true, which we ourselves think not to be so.
It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction when a traveler inquires of him his road.
Rest
Absence of motion.
The body's centre of gravity may affect its state of rest.
Lie
A fiction; a fable; an untruth.
Rest
A stick with a U-, V- or X-shaped head used to support the tip of a cue when the cue ball is otherwise out of reach.
Higgins can't quite reach the white with his cue, so he'll be using the rest.
Lie
Anything which misleads or disappoints.
Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
Rest
(countable) Any object designed to be used to support something else.
She put the phone receiver back in its rest.
He placed his hands on the arm rests of the chair.
Lie
The position or way in which anything lies; the lay, as of land or country.
He surveyed with his own eyes . . . the lie of the country on the side towards Thrace.
Rest
A projection from the right side of the cuirass of armour, serving to support the lance.
Lie
To utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another, when he a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation.
Rest
A place where one may rest, either temporarily, as in an inn, or permanently, as, in an abode.
Lie
To rest extended on the ground, a bed, or any support; to be, or to put one's self, in an horizontal position, or nearly so; to be prostate; to be stretched out; - often with down, when predicated of living creatures; as, the book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
The watchful traveler . . . Lay down again, and closed his weary eyes.
Rest
(poetry) A short pause in reading poetry; a caesura.
Lie
To be situated; to occupy a certain place; as, Ireland lies west of England; the meadows lie along the river; the ship lay in port.
Rest
The striking of a balance at regular intervals in a running account. Often, specifically, the intervals after which compound interest is added to capital.
Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition; as, to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hid; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves; the paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Rest
(dated) A set or game at tennis.
Lie
To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist; - with in.
Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
Rest
(uncountable) That which remains.
She ate some of the food, but was not hungry enough to eat it all, so she put the rest in the refrigerator to finish later.
Lie
To lodge; to sleep.
Whiles I was now trifling at home, I saw London, . . . where I lay one night only.
Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
Rest
Those not included in a proposition or description; the remainder; others.
Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
The wind is loud and will not lie.
Rest
A surplus held as a reserved fund by a bank to equalize its dividends, etc.; in the Bank of England, the balance of assets above liabilities.
Lie
To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
What he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head.
Rest
(intransitive) To cease from action, motion, work, or performance of any kind; stop; desist; be without motion.
Lie
A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
Rest
(intransitive) To come to a pause or an end; end.
Lie
Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
Rest
(intransitive) To be free from that which harasses or disturbs; be quiet or still; be undisturbed.
Lie
Position or manner in which something is situated
Rest
To be or to put into a state of rest.
My day's work is over; now I will rest.
We need to rest the horses before we ride any further.
I shall not rest until I have uncovered the truth.
Lie
Be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
Rest
(intransitive) To stay, remain, be situated.
The blame seems to rest with your father.
Lie
Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position;
The sick man lay in bed all day
The books are lying on the shelf
We had to stand for the entire performance!
Rest
To lean, lie, or lay.
A column rests on its pedestal.
I rested my head in my hands.
She rested against my shoulder.
I rested against the wall for a minute.
Lie
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
Rest
To complete one's active advocacy in a trial or other proceeding, and thus to wait for the outcome (however, one is still generally available to answer questions, etc.)
The defense rests, your Honor.
I rest my case.
Lie
Be and remain in a particular state or condition;
Lie dormant
Rest
(intransitive) To sleep; slumber.
Lie
Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive;
Don't lie to your parents
She lied when she told me she was only 29
Rest
(intransitive) To lie dormant.
Lie
Have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
Rest
(intransitive) To rely or depend on.
The decision rests on getting a bank loan.
Lie
Assume a reclining position;
Lie down on the bed until you feel better
Rest
To be satisfied; to acquiesce.
Rest
To continue to be, remain, be left in a certain way.
You can rest assured that a sick child will say when it's again ready to eat, so it won't starve and doesn't need to be cajoled into eating.
Rest
To keep a certain way.
Rest
To arrest.
Rest
To arrest.
Rest
To cease from action or motion, especially from action which has caused weariness; to desist from labor or exertion.
God . . . rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest.
Rest
To be free from whanever wearies or disturbs; to be quiet or still.
There rest, if any rest can harbor there.
Rest
To lie; to repose; to recline; to lan; as, to rest on a couch.
Rest
To stand firm; to be fixed; to be supported; as, a column rests on its pedestal.
Rest
To sleep; to slumber; hence, poetically, to be dead.
Fancy . . . then retriesInto her private cell when Nature rests.
Rest
To lean in confidence; to trust; to rely; to repose without anxiety; as, to rest on a man's promise.
On him I rested, after long debate,And not without considering, fixed fate.
Rest
To be satisfied; to acquiesce.
To rest in Heaven's determination.
Rest
To lay or place at rest; to quiet.
Your piety has paidAll needful rites, to rest my wandering shade.
Rest
To place, as on a support; to cause to lean.
Her weary head upon your bosom rest.
Rest
To be left; to remain; to continue to be.
The affairs of men rest still uncertain.
Rest
A state of quiet or repose; a cessation from motion or labor; tranquillity; as, rest from mental exertion; rest of body or mind.
Sleep give thee all his rest!
Rest
Hence, freedom from everything which wearies or disturbs; peace; security.
And the land had rest fourscore years.
Rest
That on which anything rests or leans for support; as, a rest in a lathe, for supporting the cutting tool or steadying the work.
He made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
Rest
A projection from the right side of the cuirass, serving to support the lance.
Their visors closed, their lances in the rest.
Rest
A place where one may rest, either temporarily, as in an inn, or permanently, as, in an abode.
In dust our final rest, and native home.
Ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you.
Rest
A short pause in reading verse; a cæsura.
Rest
The striking of a balance at regular intervals in a running account.
Rest
A set or game at tennis.
Rest
Silence in music or in one of its parts; the name of the character that stands for such silence. They are named as notes are, whole, half, quarter,etc.
Rest
That which is left, or which remains after the separation of a part, either in fact or in contemplation; remainder; residue.
Religion gives part of its reward in hand, the present comfort of having done our duty, and, for the rest, it offers us the best security that Heaven can give.
Rest
Those not included in a proposition or description; the remainder; others.
Armed like the rest, the Trojan prince appears.
Rest
A surplus held as a reserved fund by a bank to equalize its dividends, etc.; in the Bank of England, the balance of assets above liabilities.
Rest
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
Rest
Freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility);
Took his repose by the swimming pool
Rest
A pause for relaxation;
People actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests
Rest
A state of inaction;
A body will continue in a state of rest until acted upon
Rest
A musical notation indicating a silence of a specified duration
Rest
Not move; be in a resting position
Rest
Take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
Rest
Give a rest to;
He rested his bad leg
Rest the dogs for a moment
Rest
Have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
Rest
Be at rest
Rest
Stay the same; remain in a certain state;
The dress remained wet after repeated attempts to dry it
Rest assured
Stay alone
He remained unmoved by her tears
The bad weather continued for another week
Rest
Be inherent or innate in;
Rest
Put something in a resting position, as for support or steadying;
Rest your head on my shoulder
Rest
Sit, as on a branch;
The birds perched high in the treee
Rest
Rest on or as if on a pillow;
Pillow your head
Rest
Be inactive, refrain from acting;
The committee is resting over the summer
Common Curiosities
Can 'lie' also mean not telling the truth?
Yes, "lie" can also refer to the act of not telling the truth intentionally.
How does one use 'rest' in a sentence?
"After the long hike, she needed to rest to regain her strength."
What is the past tense of 'lie' when referring to positioning?
The past tense of "lie" is "lay" when it refers to assuming a horizontal position.
Can 'rest' be used metaphorically?
Yes, "rest" can be used metaphorically to describe a pause in activities or a moment of peace.
Can rest involve activities other than sleeping?
Yes, rest can involve various activities aimed at relaxation or recovery, not limited to sleep.
What does it mean to 'rest one's case'?
It means to conclude one's argument or presentation, often used in legal contexts.
What does it mean to lie down?
To lie down means to place oneself in a horizontal position, often for relaxation or sleep.
Is it correct to say 'lie on the bed' or 'lay on the bed'?
The correct form is "lie on the bed" when referring to the present tense action of positioning oneself.
What is the grammatical difference between 'lie' and 'rest'?
"Lie" changes forms based on tense (lie, lay, lain), while "rest" maintains a straightforward conjugation.
How do 'lie' and 'rest' differ in physical activity?
"Lie" specifically refers to a horizontal position, while "rest" can be any form of relaxation or recovery.
How does culture influence perceptions of lying and resting?
Cultural practices and beliefs can shape how people view the importance of rest and the ethical implications of lying.
Is it possible to rest without lying down?
Yes, one can rest in various positions, not just by lying down.
Does 'rest' have different meanings?
Yes, "rest" can denote a pause from activity, a physical support, or a state of being without motion.
Why is the verb 'lie' often confused in English?
It is often confused due to its tense changes and because it shares a form with "lay," another verb.
Can animals lie and rest in the same ways as humans?
Animals can lie down and rest similarly to humans, often seeking comfort and relaxation.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
