lay off
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To dismiss or terminate the employment of a worker, typically temporarily and due to economic reasons: To end someone's job, not because of their performance, but due to business conditions like a slowdown or reorganization.
- To stop doing or using something; to cease an activity: To bring an end to a particular action or behavior.
Examples of Usage
Verb (Dismiss from work): The factory had to lay off 50 employees due to the drop in orders. Many tech companies laid off workers last year.
Verb (Stop an activity): You should lay off the caffeine if you're having trouble sleeping. I wish he would lay off criticizing my work.
Advanced Usage
- "to be laid off": The passive form, describing the state of having lost one's job for economic reasons.
- Used in the imperative mood as a strong suggestion or command to stop. Lay off! That's enough.
Variants and Related Words
- Layoff (noun): The act of dismissing employees or the state of being dismissed for economic reasons.
- Laid-off (adjective): Describing a worker who has been dismissed.
Synonyms
- Dismiss, terminate, let go, make redundant (for employment).
- Stop, quit, cease, give up, desist from (for an activity).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Lay into (someone): To criticize or attack someone verbally or physically. (Note: This is a distinct phrasal verb with a different meaning).
Related Idioms
- Lay off the sauce: (Informal idiom) To stop drinking alcohol.
Verb
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dismiss, usually for economic reasons
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She was laid off together with hundreds of other workers when the company downsized
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put an end to a state or an activity
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Quit teasing your little brother
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