lay off

illustration for section: lay off
lay off  {v. phr.}
1. To mark out the boundaries or limits.
He laid off a baseball diamond on the vacant lot.
Compare: LAY OUT (5).
2. To put out of work.
The company lost the contract for making the shoes and laid off half its workers.
3.  {slang}
To stop bothering; leave alone. — Usually used in the imperative.
Lay off me, will you? I have to study for a test.
4.  {slang}
To stop using or taking.
His doctor told him to lay off cigarettes.
Categories: bother study {slang} {v. phr.}