ease off

1. To become less harsh or severe. I think you need to ease off on your punishment. I mean, it's not like he got into serious trouble. When did the weatherman say this thunderstorm is supposed to ease off? New parents' rules tend to ease off as they become calmer and more experienced.

2. To lessen slowly over time. I think you should try to sell your house now because skyrocketing prices in the area will probably ease off soon. The snow has eased off this afternoon, but only after dumping nearly two feet of snow on our town. The pain should ease off over the next hour as the medicine takes effect.

See also: ease, off

ease off (on someone or something)

and ease up (on someone or something)

to reduce the urgency with which one deals with someone or something; to put less pressure on someone or something. Ease off on John. He has been yelled at enough today. Yes, please ease off. I can't stand any more. Tell them to ease up on the horses. They are getting tired.

See also: ease, off

ease off

(on someone or something ) and ease up (on someone or something ) to reduce the urgency with which one deals with someone or something; to put less pressure on someone or something. Ease off on John. He has been yelled at enough today. Yes, please ease off. I can't stand any more. Tell them to ease up on the horses. They are getting tired.

See also: ease, off

ease off

[for something] to diminish. The rain began to ease off. The storm seems to have eased off a little.

See also: ease, off

ease off

1. Also, ease up. Lessen in severity, relax; abate. For example, I wish you'd ease off on Harold; he's doing the best he can, or The wind's eased up so I think the storm is just about over. [Late 1800s] Also see let up.

2. Fall away, gradually decrease, as in The market's easing off, so we may get some stocks more cheaply. [Late 1800s]

See also: ease, off

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ease off

1. To diminish gradually in intensity or severity: My headache eased off after I took an aspirin.

2. To move away from someone or something slowly and carefully: The snake eased off from the mongoose. Better ease off—they have a gun.

3. To treat someone less severely: The principal eased off on the student and only gave a warning. The coach has made us practice very hard and hasn't eased off for days.

See also: ease, off

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References in periodicals archive

Duncan James, whose ex-girlfriend, known only as `Claire', gave birth to daughter Tianie-Finn recently, has vowed to ease off casual sex and curb the boozing.

Stargazing: HOT GOSSIP Duncan's new leaf

The strongest winds today will reach up to 60mph and there will be further heavy squally showers but it should ease off tonight.'

Strong winds wreak havoc

LARGE numbers of motorists are still breaking speed limits, although new research shows that the message to ease off on the gas may gradually be getting through.

Motors: CAR SPEEDSTERS START TO SLOW DOWN

CROCKED tennis ace Venus Williams confessed she'll have to ease off after crashing 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 to Mary Pierce in the Kremlin Cup semi- finals in Moscow.

VENUS: I DIDN'T PLANET TO GO DOWN; SPORTSFILE

It comes as shares ease off 2018 highs set earlier this week, after rallying more than 60% since April.

Repeat call buying in Chesapeake

KIERAN McALEENAN swears Pollok won't ease off the gas despite making it six wins on the trot with no goals conceded.

Six-hit Lok vow to keep pressure on

And while 19% an as 19% think he should ease off, another 22% believe his cuts should be tougher.

Osborne's losing his appeal; your money; ECONOMY 1

And he feels that the players who were rested for yesterday's game were given a timely reminder to not switch off or ease off when their time comes against Blackpool.

Repetition key to win, says Eddie

"But the aim now is to keep that pressure going, we've shown what we can do so we can not and must not ease off that now.

Falcons still have room to improve; Focused Swinson aims to eradicate lineout errors

.Please letters to 150 Don't forget to This follows last month''s instruction, from President Obama, to the country''s prosecutors to ease off medical cannabis prosecutions.

Drugs prohibition a costly failure; yourLETTERS

Gordon Brown should ease off on the green issues and start dealing with the black and white problems staring him in the face.

Forget eco and think education

Britain faces a cooler week ahead as soaring temperatures ease off, forecasters said last night.

Dry Britain plays it cool

However, the former England and Newcastle boss is determined not to ease off so early in the season.

Only best will do for KK

Sizable spread in iShares Emerging Markets Fund as shares ease off 52-week highs.

Sizable spread in iShares Emerging Markets Fund as shares ease off 52-week highs