lay off

This page is about the euphemism lay off

Meaning

to fire a worker

For example

  • If they keep losing sales, they'll have to lay off some staff.

  • We can increase our profits by automating the factory and laying off workers.

Quick Quiz

My boss said I'd been laid off. He didn't want to say he'd

a. laid me

b. fired me

c. been fired
a) laid me b) fired me c) been fired

Contributor: Matt Errey