to lay off: to abstain from, stop using as a habit; to release or discharge from a job (also: related idiom: to let go) Examples of TO LAY OFF Today is my 30th birthday, but I should probably lay off the cake and champagne. He said the company had to lay off employees and has…

to take off: to leave the ground (for airplanes); to leave, often in a hurry Examples of TO TAKE OFF Tens of thousands of airliners take off from airports around the world each day. We are also invited and Jacob plans to take off work for the wedding on Wednesday.

to look out: to be careful or cautious (also: to watch out) Examples of LOOK OUT We had a big drop in numbers and we have to look out for the safety of our kids. We were told to look out for a red van.

let alone: and certainly not (also: not to mention, to say nothing of) Examples of LET ALONE He would never walk again let alone play golf. He doesn’t even speak his own language well, let alone French.

all along: all the time, from the beginning (without change) Examples of ALL ALONG After we searched and searched, it turned out that the turtle was in his crate all along! We knew all along that Jeremy would win the election.

to hold off: to delay, or to be delayed, in occurring Examples of TO HOLD OFF They’re snapping pictures of the new open-air ballpark and hoping the rain holds off. The judge agreed to hold off making a decision until new evidence could be introduced into court.