Lay off
verb
To stop giving work to someone because there is not enough work.
Due to the company's financial troubles, they had to lay off a lot of employees.
Often appears as...
- lay off staff
- lay off workers
verb
To stop doing something.
I need to lay off watching TV and start working out more.
Often appears as...
- lay off junk food
- lay off smoking
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To stop bothering or criticizing someone.
Can you just lay off me for a while?
Often appears as...
- lay off me
- lay off her
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To stop giving work to someone because there is not enough work.
Due to the company's financial troubles, they had to lay off a lot of employees.
Often appears as...
- lay off staff
- lay off workers
verb
To stop doing something.
I need to lay off watching TV and start working out more.
Often appears as...
- lay off junk food
- lay off smoking
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To stop bothering or criticizing someone.
Can you just lay off me for a while?
Often appears as...
- lay off me
- lay off her
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Job Loss
Used when a job is terminated, often due to economic reasons, not personal performance.
The recession forced small businesses to lay off employees.
Pro Tip 2/3Company Difficulty
Indicates company struggles, such as lack of work or financial problems, leading to job cuts.
The manufacturing sector laid off workers due to decreasing orders.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Permanent
Usually suggests the possibility of being rehired when the company's situation improves.
If sales pick up, the company may reconsider those they had to lay off.
Pro Tip 1/3Job Loss
Used when a job is terminated, often due to economic reasons, not personal performance.
The recession forced small businesses to lay off employees.
Pro Tip 2/3Company Difficulty
Indicates company struggles, such as lack of work or financial problems, leading to job cuts.
The manufacturing sector laid off workers due to decreasing orders.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Permanent
Usually suggests the possibility of being rehired when the company's situation improves.
If sales pick up, the company may reconsider those they had to lay off.
Pro Tip 1/3Job Loss
Used when a job is terminated, often due to economic reasons, not personal performance.
The recession forced small businesses to lay off employees.
Pro Tip 2/3Company Difficulty
Indicates company struggles, such as lack of work or financial problems, leading to job cuts.
The manufacturing sector laid off workers due to decreasing orders.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Permanent
Usually suggests the possibility of being rehired when the company's situation improves.
If sales pick up, the company may reconsider those they had to lay off.
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