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."
inseparable
lie upon
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
A formal or literary variant of 'lie on'; to be placed on a surface or to be someone's responsibility or burden.
In plain English
To be on top of something; or when something is someone's duty or burden.
What does "lie upon" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
(Formal/figurative) to be someone's responsibility, duty, or burden.
"A great responsibility lies upon those who hold power."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rest or be placed on top of something.
Actually means
To be on top of something; or when something is someone's duty or burden.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "lie upon"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
surface ground shoulders conscience duty burden
How to conjugate "lie upon"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "lie upon" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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