lay off
/ˌleɪ ˈɔf/
Reviewed on
Also a noun
Meaning
To discharge an employee, especially temporarily or because of a shortage of work.
The factory had to lay off hundreds of workers during the economic downturn.
Were many engineers laid off after the merger was finalized?
To stop bothering, annoying, or criticizing someone.
Tell him to lay off his brother and let him study in peace.
Why won't you just lay off for a minute and listen?
To stop using, consuming, or doing something harmful or excessive.
His doctor advised him to lay off caffeine until his blood pressure normalized.
She has been laying off sugar for the past three weeks.
How it's used
When this means “discharge an employee”
Both orders mean the same thing.
- lay off workers
- lay workers off
it and them go in the middle: “lay them off.” Not “lay off them.”
The company had to lay off several technicians.
When this means “stop bothering someone”
- lay off the intern
Say “lay off her.” Not “lay her off.”
Please lay off the new assistant while she learns the ropes.
Collocations
- lay off employees
- lay off staff
- lay off the alcohol
- lay off junk food
Antonyms
Meaning
An act of ending someone’s job because there is not enough work (AmE usually spelled layoff).
The factory announced another round of layoffs.
She lost her job in the latest layoff.