What are the definitions of “lay off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make an employee redundant.
The hotel LAID OFF twenty staff because tourist numbers were down.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “lay off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb lay off is to make an employee redundant, which means to end their employment, usually due to financial reasons or a lack of work. For example, a company might lay off workers if it is losing money or if there is not enough work for everyone.
What are the different verb forms of “lay off”?
| Root Verb | lay off |
| Third Person Singular Present | lays off |
| Present Participle | laying off |
| Simple Past | laid off |
| Past Participle | laid off |
Example
The company might lay off some employees if the financial situation doesn't improve.
Example
The factory lays off workers during the slow season.
Example
The company is laying off several employees due to budget cuts.
Example
Last year, they laid off 50 workers because of the economic downturn.
Example
Many employees have been laid off since the company started struggling.
What kind of phrasal verb is “lay off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“lay off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The company laid off 100 employees.
Example
They laid 50 workers off due to budget cuts.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“lay off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The company laid off 100 employees.
Example
They laid 50 workers off due to budget cuts.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “lay off”?
Good things to know
Does “lay off” have an informal or formal tone?
Lay off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as business meetings or news reports about employment and the economy.
