Idiom: lay someone off (lay someone off)

Meaning

Idiom: lay (sb) off | lay off (sb)

to end a worker’s job (usually because of economic difficulties)

Note: The past tense of lay is irregular: laid

A layoff is the noun form of this verb.

Example sentences

— I heard General Electric is going to lay off 1,000 workers this week.

— My dad had worked for his company for almost 20 years when they laid him off.

— We're all afraid they will start to lay people off soon so everyone is saving up their vacation hours.

— I see you were laid off from your last job. Can you explain why?

— When I got laid off I felt so depressed and embarrassed I didn't leave my house for a few months.

— Fortunately, I was able to get unemployment compensation the week after I was laid off.

— What's the difference between a furlough and a layoff? A furlough is normally temporary but if your company lays you off it is permanent.

— Companies often lay off workers in December during the holidays which compounds the negative financial impact.

— Our company laid off three people in my department and now they expect me to do two of those people's jobs!

— Unfortunately, I didn't qualify for unemployment benefits because I'd only worked three months before I was laid off.

— I just activated my minimum payment insurance on my credit card because I'm worried I might get laid off.

— Well, I wasn't the only one laid off. The company laid off everyone in my department so it wasn't related to my performance.

— The worst part of the job was that I had to lay off 250 employees. It was an extremely difficult and emotionally draining process. Several months later I was also laid off.

Synonyms

give someone notice
make sb redundant
give someone the ax
let someone go
give someone their walking papers
give sb the pink slip
give sb the boot

Idiom: lay someone off (lay someone off)

Meaning

Example sentences

Synonyms

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