“lay off”
To dismiss an employee from a job, usually due to economic reasons rather than poor performance; also informally means to stop doing something or leave someone alone. Listen to how native speakers pronounce "lay off" in the video clips below.
Hear how "lay off" sounds in real speech — 1,000 examples from 10 videos, movies, and TV shows. Sources: American Horror Story, Big Bang Theory, Desperate Housewives 20 04, Gossip Girl, Shameless and 4 more.
1,000
clips found
10
videos
Examples in video
YouTubeFox News379K views · 2026-03-25
Fox News Highlights - March 24th, 2026
“lay off the strait and cut a deal before”
and the Russians are telling Tyran to … Trump seizes the oil. But even though
Play at 9:04
YouTubePowerfulJRE2.8M views · 2025-02-12
Joe Rogan Experience #2272 - Mike Benz
“lay off you know remember I mentioned”
shutdown of of a federal agency didn't … the uh the Halloween Massacre Jimmy
Play at 1:49:22
YouTubePowerfulJRE1.3M views · 2025-07-18
Joe Rogan Experience #2352 - James Talarico
“lay off thousands of people.”
hundreds of businesses across the state, … >> Why do you think you do that? Why is
Play at 2:31:50
TV ShowAmerican Horror Story
American Horror Story — S03E13
“...lay off the sauce for a while.”
Maybe you ought to... … Drink in the... the fresh air.
Play at 44:34
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 44:34
TV ShowBig Bang Theory
Big Bang Theory — S07E02
“Lay off the donuts.”
Amy, you're going
to be Olive Oyl. … Thanks for coming over.
Play at 12:44
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 12:44
TV ShowDesperate Housewives 20 04
Desperate Housewives 20 04 — S07E20
“Lay off her, Carlos.
She's apologized again and again.”
He was a kid when it happened. … I don't forgive her,
Play at 31:54
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 31:54
TV ShowGossip Girl
Gossip Girl — S03E06
“Lay off the caffeine, huh?It's giving you wrinkles.”
Oh. Come here.Would you let me look at you? … Ah...
Play at 19:52
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 19:52
TV ShowShameless
Shameless — S10E06
“Lay off the vape,
all right?”
now you want us to remind you? … Shit'll fuck you up.
Play at 0:09
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 0:09
TV ShowThe Simpsons
The Simpsons — S01E08
“Lay off
the boy, Marge.”
- Where did you get
a ridiculous idea like that?
- Uh-- … He's a good kid.
Quit giving him the third degree.
Play at 20:01
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 20:01
TV ShowThe Studio
The Studio — S01E06
“- Lay off golf, will you?
- What? I'm not gonna lay...”
- A boring sport made for boring people.
- Hey! Listen... … I will not be told to back off by a man
dressed like Jiminy fucking Cricket, okay?
Play at 22:33
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 22:33