lay off — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

lay off

stop employing stop doing something annoying stop consuming

Meaning 1 · most common

stop employing

lay off sth sth

To stop employing someone, usually because there is not enough work or money.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The company had to lay off 200 workers last year due to falling sales.

A: Did you hear about the factory?
B: Yeah, they laid off a lot of people. It's tough.

Common mistake

Not: He was ~~laid off~~ because he was lazy.

Say: He was fired/sacked because he was lazy.

'Lay off' = let go due to lack of work (no fault). Being dismissed for bad performance is 'fire/sack'.

More on “stop employing”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If the economy gets worse, some businesses might have to lay off employees to save costs.

Tell it apart

She was laid off in the cuts.

let go — no fault, no work

She was fired for stealing.

dismissed for wrongdoing

Goes with

lay off + staff

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Next meaning: stop doing something annoying

Meaning 2

stop doing something annoying

lay off sth
informal

To stop doing something that is bothering or annoying someone.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Can you lay off the noise? I'm trying to study.

A: You keep teasing me about my accent.
B: Okay, I'll lay off. Sorry.

Common mistake

Not: Lay off ~~to criticise~~ me.

Say: Lay off criticising me. / Lay off me.

'Lay off + -ing' or 'lay off + someone', not 'lay off to + verb'.

More on “stop doing something annoying”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, friends need to lay off making jokes if someone feels uncomfortable.

Tell it apart

Lay off — you're being annoying.

stop pestering

They laid off staff.

stopped employing

Goes with

lay off

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Next meaning: stop consuming

Meaning 3

stop consuming

lay off sth sth
informal

To stop using, eating, drinking, or taking something, especially because it is unhealthy or excessive.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

My doctor told me to lay off the caffeine for a while if I want to sleep better.

A: You’re having another energy drink?
B: I know, I should really lay off this stuff, but I’m exhausted.

Common mistake

Not: You should lay off ~~from~~ sugar.

Say: You should lay off the sugar.

'Lay off THE + thing' (= cut down on it) — no 'from'.

More on “stop consuming”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many people find it difficult to lay off junk food, even when they know it is detrimental to their health.

Tell it apart

Lay off the coffee for a bit.

cut it out

Lay off — stop nagging.

stop bothering me

Goes with

lay off the

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stop employing stop doing something annoying stop consuming