言い伏せる (iifuseru: to argue down)
to say + to lie upside down, to lie prostrate (that is, face down)
One of my books defines 伏せる as “to lay upside down” and “to lay under the ground.” If these definitions refer to objects (e.g., I am laying the book upside down), I have no objection to the grammar. But if we’re talking about people, “lay” needs to be “lie,” of course.
And this reminds me of how a grammar-free woman visited my aunt and told my aunt’s dog, “Lay down, Lucy.” Lucy did not respond.
My aunt said, “Lie down, Lucy,” and the dog obeyed.
My aunt then informed the visitor that Lucy responds only to proper grammar.
