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English verb: lay off

1. lay off (stative) put an end to a state or an activity


SamplesQuit teasing your little brother.


Synonymscease, discontinue, give up, quit, stop


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something.
Somebody ----s VERB-ing


Narrower (hyponym)break, call it a day, call it quits, cheese, close off, drop, knock off, leave off, pull the plug, retire, shut off, sign off, withdraw


Antonymspreserve, uphold, carry on, continue, bear on

2. lay off (social) dismiss, usually for economic reasons


SamplesShe was laid off together with hundreds of other workers when the company downsized.


Synonymsfurlough


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)can, dismiss, displace, fire, force out, give notice, give the axe, give the sack, sack, send away, terminate


Narrower (hyponym)downsize









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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