Meaning trap
lay off
stop doing something annoying
To stop doing something that is bothering or annoying someone.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To stop doing something that is bothering or annoying someone.
Another meaning of 'lay off' is 'stop employing'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Can you lay off the noise? I'm trying to study.
Sometimes, friends need to lay off making jokes if someone feels uncomfortable.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
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'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Lay off' is the natural way to tell someone to back off. 'Stop pestering me about this matter' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
lay off
- me
- him
- the jokes
- a bit
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- lay off (stop employing) — Another meaning of 'lay off' is 'stop employing'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.