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3. ease off

ease off

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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

(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

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

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.

See also: ease, off