ease off
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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?
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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
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.
ease off
[for something] to diminish. The rain began to ease off. The storm seems to have eased off a little.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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]
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
v.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.