Definition

Verb: 1. To reduce in degree, intensity, pressure, or speed: To make something less forceful, severe, or fast. 2. To become less intense or severe: To diminish in degree, pressure, or activity.

Usage and Examples

• The driver decided to ease off the accelerator as he approached the town.
• After working for twelve hours straight, she needed to ease off and take a break.
• The rain should ease off by this evening, so we can go out then.
• The manager told the team to ease off a bit; they were pushing themselves too hard.

Advanced Usage

• "Ease off on [someone/something]": To reduce pressure, criticism, or demands directed at a person or thing.
  • You should ease off on the new intern; he's still learning.
  • I'm trying to ease off on sugary snacks.

Variants and Related Words

• Ease up (phrasal verb): Very similar in meaning to "ease off," often used interchangeably.
  • The wind finally began to ease up.
• Ease (verb): To make or become less severe or difficult.
  • The medicine will ease the pain.

Synonyms

• Abate: To become less intense or widespread.
• Slacken: To reduce or cause to reduce in speed or intensity.
• Let up: To become less strong or stop.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ease up on: Synonymous with "ease off on"; to treat less severely.
  • The teacher eased up on the homework assignments before the holiday.
• Ease into: To start something gradually or carefully.
  • He eased into the new role over several weeks.

Related Idioms

• Take the pressure off: To reduce stress or demands on someone.
  • Hiring an assistant took the pressure off the manager. (Note: While not containing the exact phrase "ease off," this idiom expresses a very similar concept.)

Verb

1. reduce pressure or intensity
   • he eased off the gas pedal and the car slowed down
2. become less intense