1. to be dismissed from employment, typically due to company restructuring, economic downturn, or lack of work rather than personal misconduct
She was laid off by the company due to budget cuts.
Ela foi demitida pela empresa devido a cortes orçamentários.
2. to be temporarily or permanently removed from a job by an employer
Workers were laid off by the factory when production decreased.
Os trabalhadores foram dispensados pela fábrica quando a produção diminuiu.