Zurückliegen

zurückliegen is a German verb that translates to "to lie back," "to be behind," or "to have fallen behind" in English. Its meaning is context-dependent.

In a physical sense, zurückliegen describes the act of leaning or reclining backward. For example, one might zurückliegen in a chair. It can also refer to something being positioned at the rear or in a backward location.

Figuratively, zurückliegen often implies a state of being delayed or having made less progress than others. This can apply to a project that is falling behind schedule, a student who is lagging in their studies, or a team that is losing a game. The phrase "im Rückstand sein" is a common synonym for this latter meaning, also indicating being behind or in arrears. The past participle, zurückgelegen, is used to describe something that has previously lain back or been behind. The nuance of "zurückliegen" is its emphasis on a state of being in a posterior position, whether physically or in terms of progress.