lay off

To stop employing workers because there is not enough work or money to keep them.

• The factory will lay off twenty workers.
• She was laid off last winter.
• Are they laying off more staff this year?

How to use it: lay someone off (The company laid him off last month.); be laid off (Several workers were laid off after the factory closed.)

Similar words: make redundant, let go

Opposites: hire

Common phrases: lay off workers, lay off someone, lay off staff

To stop annoying, criticizing, or teasing someone.

• Lay off me, please.
• They finally laid off her after the teacher intervened.
• Why will you not lay off him for once?

How to use it: lay off someone (Lay off your brother; he has had a difficult day.)

Similar words: leave alone, stop bothering

Common phrases: lay off someone, lay off me

To stop doing or using something, often for a while.

• Lay off the sweets for a while.
• He laid off drinking after his doctor warned him.
• Can you lay off the singing until I finish?

How to use it: lay off something (You should lay off the coffee for a few days.); lay off doing something (Please lay off making jokes during the meeting.)

Similar words: stop, quit, cut out

Common phrases: lay off something, lay off sugar, lay off drinking

To pass some or all of a bet to another betting business to reduce possible losses.

• The bookmaker decided to lay off the bet.
• She laid off half the stake with another firm.
• They are laying off large bets to limit their losses.

How to use it: lay off something with someone (The bookmaker laid off part of the bet with another bookmaker.)

Similar words: hedge

Common phrases: lay off bets, lay off something

To gently brush wet paint so that marks disappear and the surface becomes smooth.

• Lay off the paint with a soft brush.
• She laid off each section before the paint dried.
• Are you laying off the final coat?

How to use it: lay off something with something (Lay off the wet paint with a dry brush.)

Similar words: smooth

Common phrases: lay off paint, lay off something

To mark a planned route for a boat or ship on a sea map.

• We must lay off a course before sailing.
• The captain laid off the route on her chart.
• He is laying off a new course around the island.

How to use it: lay off something on something (The navigator laid off a course on the chart.)

Similar words: plot, chart

Common phrases: lay off courses, lay off something