lay off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Dismiss employees from a job
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“The factory laid off thirty workers.”
“The company laid off its night shift.”
Don't confuse with
Lay off means dismiss employees from a job. Lay over means stay somewhere for a short time during a longer journey.
Test yourself
“The factory laid off thirty workers.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lay over
A contrast learners often mix up
Stay somewhere for a short time during a longer journey
back off
Same off pattern: stopping
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
blow off
Same off pattern: stopping
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
call off
Same off pattern: stopping
Cancel a planned event
check off
Same off pattern: stopping
Mark items on a list as done or counted
clear off
Same off pattern: stopping
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay a debt completely
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