To be laid low
Meaning
To be rendered weak, incapacitated, or defeated by illness, misfortune, or a powerful adversary.
Origin
Imagine being struck down, utterly defeated and prostrate, your strength vanished, your spirit humbled. This potent image of being 'laid low' has echoed through the English language for centuries, deeply rooted in the powerful, often grim, metaphors of the King James Bible. Though not a direct quote, the phrase perfectly captures the spirit of passages describing being humbled by God or brought down by enemies — think of 'bowed down to the dust' or 'lying in the dirt.' It paints a vivid picture of a mighty force, be it illness or misfortune, physically pressing one down, rendering them helpless. From the battlefield to the sickbed, the phrase powerfully conveys a state of utter incapacitation, a stark reminder of vulnerability.
Examples
- The severe flu completely laid her low for a week, preventing her from leaving her bed.
- After the company's unexpected bankruptcy, the entire management team was laid low by the sudden turn of events.