lie off

verb

lay off; lain off; lying off; lies off

intransitive verb

1
: to hold back in the early part of a race
2
: to keep a little away from the shore or another ship
3
: to cease work for a time

Examples of lie off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Institutions lost billions of dollars in revenue, most of them were forced to enact large budget cuts, furlough or lay off staff and faculty, and shutter academic programs. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 But without a new agreement, it would be forced to cease operations and lay off 58 workers at the Vacaville site. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025 Most Popular Most Popular CT manufacturer to close corporate headquarters, lay off workers. John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025 Indianapolis Public Schools, for example, has said that it could be forced to close 20 schools and lay off staff. Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lie off

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lie off was in 1573

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Cite this Entry

“Lie off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20off. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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