ease off
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- reduce pressure or intensity
- he eased off the gas pedal and the car slowed down
- become less intense