This is the 4479th most frequent German word.
legten
"Legten" is the simple past tense form of "legen," meaning "laid" or "placed."
Here, 'legten' is used in the context of placing items in a specific location, demonstrating the typical usage of this past tense verb.
Die Kinder legten die Spielsachen in die Kiste.
The children placed the toys into the box.
Here, 'legten' is combined with 'sich schlafen' to indicate the action of going to sleep, showcasing its use in reflexive constructions.
Am Abend legten sie sich schlafen.
In the evening, they went to bed.
In this sentence, 'legten' is used metaphorically to express assigning importance to an abstract concept, a figurative usage of the verb.