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"Lay off" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "despedir", and "leave of absence" is a phrase which is often translated as "permiso para ausentarse". Learn more about the difference between "lay off" and "leave of absence" below.
lay off(
ley
af
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to fire)
a. despedir
Hundreds of workers have been laid off as a result of the factory closure.Han despedido a centenares de trabajadores a consecuencia del cierre de la fábrica.
b. suspender de empleo temporalmente (temporarily)
The loss of this order means that the shipyard is likely to have to lay off a quarter of its workforce.La pérdida de este pedido significa que es probable que el astillero tenga que suspender de empleo temporalmente a la cuarta parte de la plantilla.
2. (colloquial) (to go without)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
3. (colloquial) (to stop upsetting)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. dejar en paz
Lay off me, please. I need to get this done.Déjame en paz, por favor. Tengo que terminar esto.
b. dejar de meterse con
Lay off your brother, Charlotte. None of this is his fault.Deja de meterte con tu hermano, Charlotte. Nada de esto es culpa suya.
c. dejar de pelearse con
You need to lay off your dad. He's only trying to help.Tienes que dejar de pelearte con tu papá. Solo intenta ayudarte.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
4. (colloquial) (to desist)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. dejarlo
Lay off, will you! That joke's wearing very thin.¡Déjalo, por favor! La broma empieza a no tener ninguna gracia.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Come on. Lay off. This isn't funny anymore.Venga. Basta ya. Esto ya no tiene gracia.
Lay off, Bernard. You're getting on my nerves.Termínala, Bernard. Me crispas los nervios.
leave of absence(
liv
uhv
ahb
-
sihns
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. permiso para ausentarse (a request)
Oscar requested a leave of absence for medical reasons.Oscar pidió permiso para ausentarse por razones médicas.
b. licencia (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Our supervisor took a leave of absence this month.Nuestro supervisor tomó una licencia este mes.
