Definition
(of an employer) To dismiss (workers) from employment, e.g. at a time of low business volume or through no fault of the worker, often with a severance package.
To cease, quit, stop (doing something).
To stop bothering, teasing, or pestering someone; to leave (someone) alone.
In Context
- "Lay off the singing, will you! I'm trying to study."
- "When are you gonna lay off smoking?"
- "Just lay off, okay! I've had enough!"
- "Things have been better since the boss has been laying off a little."
- "I told him to lay off me but he wouldn't stop."
- "Lay off it, already!"
- "First Xavier (Vernon Chatman): You're about as deep as a bowl of soup, and your tongue is as sharp as a soup spoon. Second Xavier (Vernon Chatman): Hey, say what you want about me, but lay off the soup."
Also Said As
- make redundant
- let go
Opposite In Meaning
- employ
- hire
- recruit
- take on
- give notice
- leave
- quit
- retire