LAY OFF

{v. phr.} 1. To mark out the boundaries or limits. * /He laid off a baseball diamond on the vacant lot./ Compare: LAY OUT(5). 2. To put out of work. * /The company lost the contract for making the shoes and laid off half its workers./ 3. {slang} To stop bothering; leave alone. - Usually used in the imperative. * /Lay off me, will you? I have to study for a test./ 4. {slang} To stop using or taking. * /His doctor told him to lay off cigarettes./