lie upon
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To be on top of something; or when something is someone's duty or burden.
Literal meaning: To rest or be placed on top of something.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
(Formal/literary) to be physically resting on a surface.
"A thin layer of frost lay upon the rooftops in the early morning."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
(Formal/figurative) to be someone's responsibility, duty, or burden.
"A great responsibility lies upon those who hold power."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Largely a literary or archaic form of 'lie on'. Used in formal writing, legal language, and older literary texts. In modern English, 'lie on' is almost always preferred in speech. The figurative sense ('a duty lies upon someone') is occasionally encountered in formal texts.
Commonly used with
surface ground shoulders conscience duty burden
Forms
Base
lie upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lies upon
he/she/it
Past simple
lay upon
yesterday
Past participle
lain upon
have + pp
-ing form
lying upon
continuous
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