ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ease off

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to become less strong, intense, or serious; you use this when something like rain, pain, or pressure starts to go away.

phr. v.. to diminish in intensity, pressure, or severity; can be used intransitively or transitively to describe a reduction in effort or force.


SIMPLE

The rain is starting to ease off now.

CONTEXTUAL

After the busy holiday season, the workload usually begins to ease off in January.

COMPLEX

The central bank may ease off on interest rate hikes if inflation figures continue to show a downward trend over the next quarter.

Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
ease + off
Usage

often used with weather, physical pain, or work pressure as the subject.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'let up' (often for weather) and 'subside' (more formal); highlight that it can also mean to treat someone less strictly when followed by 'on'.

Pitfall

The storm eased out after an hour.The storm eased off after an hour.the particle 'off' is required to indicate a reduction in intensity; 'ease out' means to remove someone from a position slowly.

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