ease off

The phrase ease off is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of ease off.

Meaning of "ease off"

Meaning

The phrase 'ease off' can be used in a variety of contexts and usually implies becoming less intense or taking a step back from a situation. It can mean to relax, to slow down, or to take it easy. It is often used to mean that one should not be so focused on a particular task, or to show someone that they don't need to be so uptight about something.

Etymology

The phrase 'ease off' is thought to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century and is likely a variant of the phrase “ease off the gas”. It may have referred to the accelerator in a motor vehicle, and later been applied to other contexts.

Usage

The phrase 'ease off' is commonly used to imply that one should relax or take a step back from a situation. It is often used in the imperative form as a gentle suggestion or as a request. It can be used to tell someone to stop doing something, to not be so intense, or to slow down or take it easy. It can also be used as encouragement, especially when someone is in a difficult or stressful situation.

Example Sentences

• You've been working so hard, why don't you ease off a little?
• Ease off and take it easy, you don't have to do everything all at once.
• I'm trying to ease off the sugar in my coffee, it's not easy.
• I think he was trying to tell me to ease off a bit.
• Don't worry, just ease off a bit and things will get better.

The universal role of idioms

"Kill two birds with one stone" is an English idiom that means to accomplish two things with a single action. In French, the similar idiom is "Faire d'une pierre deux coups," which translates to "To kill two birds with one stone." This idiom highlights the efficiency of completing two tasks with one action.