lay off
Pronunciation:
verb
Definitions
(chiefly US) (of an employer) To dismiss (workers) from employment, e.g. at a time of low business volume or through no fault of the worker, often with a severance package.
(of a bookmaker) To place all or part of a bet with another bookmaker in order to reduce risk.
To cease, quit, stop (doing something).
Example: Lay off the singing, will you! I'm trying to study.
To stop bothering, teasing, or pestering someone; to leave (someone) alone.
Example: I told him to lay off me but he wouldn't stop.