Definition of lay off Lay off

We found 8 definitions of lay off from 3 different sources.

What does lay off mean?

Verb
lay off - put an end to a state or an activity; "Quit teasing your little brother"
		discontinue, stop, cease, give up, quit
		uphold, bear on, carry on, preserve, continue stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
		knock off, drop give birth; used for animals; "The cow dropped her calf this morning"
		leave off stop using; "leave off your jacket--no need to wear it here"
		sign off cease broadcasting; get off the air; as of radio stations
		retire, withdraw cause to get out; "The pitcher retired three batters"; "the runner was put out at third base"
		pull the plug prevent from happening or continuing; "The government pulled the plug on spending"
		close off, shut off block off the passage through; "We shut off the valve"
		cheese wind onto a cheese; "cheese the yarn"
		call it a day, call it quits stop doing what one is doing; "At midnight, the student decided to call it quits and closed his books"
		break weaken or destroy in spirit or body; "His resistance was broken"; "a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death"
lay off - dismiss, usually for economic reasons; "She was laid off together with hundreds of other workers when the company downsized"
		furlough
		give the sack, can, send away, give the axe, give notice, displace, sack, terminate, dismiss, force out, fire preserve in a can or tin; "tinned foods are not very tasty"
		downsize reduce in size or number; "the company downsized its research staff"

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lay off (Verb)
Of an employer To dismiss workers from employment, e. g. at a time of low business volume, often with a severance package .
lay off (Verb)
Of a bookmaker To place all or part of a bet with another bookmaker in order to reduce risk.
lay off (Verb)
To cease, quit, stop doing something.
lay off (Verb)
To stop bothering, annoying, teasing, pestering, pressuring, being aggressive with, or hovering over someone; to leave someone alone.

lay off in sign language