Meaning trap
lay off
stop consuming
To stop using, eating, drinking, or taking something, especially because it is unhealthy or excessive.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To stop using, eating, drinking, or taking something, especially because it is unhealthy or excessive.
'lay off' also has the more basic meaning 'stop employing'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My doctor told me to lay off the caffeine for a while if I want to sleep better.
Many people find it difficult to lay off junk food, even when they know it is detrimental to their health.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: You should lay off from sugar.
Say: You should lay off the sugar.
'Lay off THE + thing' (= cut down on it) — no 'from'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Lay off (the X)' is the casual way to say cut something out. 'Reduce your consumption of' is clinical.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
lay off the
- the booze
- the salt
- the cigarettes
- the sweets
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- lay off (stop employing) — 'lay off' also has the more basic meaning 'stop employing'; this is the advanced sense.