To stop employing someone, usually because there is not enough work or money.
The company had to lay off 200 workers last year due to falling sales.
A: Did you hear about the factory? B: Yeah, they laid off a lot of people. It's tough.
If the economy gets worse, some businesses might have to lay off employees to save costs.
Common mistake
✗He was laid off because he was lazy.
✓He was fired/sacked because he was lazy.
'Lay off' = let go due to lack of work (no fault). Being dismissed for bad performance is 'fire/sack'.
Tell it apart
She was laid off in the cuts.
let go — no fault, no work
She was fired for stealing.
dismissed for wrongdoing
Use 'lay off' when a company has to let workers go for business reasons, not because they did something wrong.'Fire' means to remove someone for bad behavior; 'lay off' is about business needs.
To stop doing something that is bothering or annoying someone.
Can you lay off the noise? I'm trying to study.
A: You keep teasing me about my accent. B: Okay, I'll lay off. Sorry.
Sometimes, friends need to lay off making jokes if someone feels uncomfortable.
Common mistake
✗Lay off to criticise me.
✓Lay off criticising me. / Lay off me.
'Lay off + -ing' or 'lay off + someone', not 'lay off to + verb'.
Tell it apart
Lay off — you're being annoying.
stop pestering
They laid off staff.
stopped employing
You can tell someone to 'lay off' if they are bothering you or doing something too much.Not about jobs—this sense is about stopping an action, not employment.
To stop using, eating, drinking, or taking something, especially because it is unhealthy or excessive.
My doctor told me to lay off the caffeine for a while if I want to sleep better.
A: You’re having another energy drink? B: I know, I should really lay off this stuff, but I’m exhausted.
Many people find it difficult to lay off junk food, even when they know it is detrimental to their health.
Common mistake
✗You should lay off from sugar.
✓You should lay off the sugar.
'Lay off THE + thing' (= cut down on it) — no 'from'.
Tell it apart
Lay off the coffee for a bit.
cut it out
Lay off — stop nagging.
stop bothering me
'Lay off' in this sense is informal and typically used when advising someone to reduce or stop their intake of something (like food, drink, or drugs), often for health or moderation. It is not used in formal writing.Unlike the B2 sense ('stop employing'), this sense is not about jobs or work, but about stopping the consumption of something. It is also different from the B1 sense ('stop doing something annoying'), as it refers specifically to substances or habits, not actions that annoy others.