collocation · neutral
be laid off
UK/bi leɪd ɒf/US/bi leɪd ɔːf/be·LAID·off
Band 4-5speakingtask2
to lose your job because the employer reduces staff, often for economic reasons
Examples
“During the recession, many factory workers were laid off.”
“She was laid off after the company closed its local branch.”
“Laid off employees often receive a severance package.”
Band 8 sentence
“The factory closed unexpectedly, and dozens of skilled workers were laid off despite years of service.”
Collocations
- be laid off due to
- temporary/permanent layoff
Word family
lay off verblayoffs noun plural
Common mistakes
fire off→be laid off
get fired→be laid off
Say it for a higher band
5get fired→6be fired→7+be laid off
Synonyms
be made redundant
be let go
Easily confused
be fired
“He was fired for repeated tardiness.”
Related words
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In Work & Career
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