How to Memorize

the rain/workload eased up

Analysis

The phrasal verb 'ease up' can mean ‘to treat someone less severely’ or to ‘treat someone better.’ “If she doesn’t ease up on her employees I’m afraid most of them will leave.” It also means ‘to reduce or become less.’ “I hope the pain eases off after taking these tablets.” If you apply less pressure to something you can also say ‘ease up’, “Ease up on the accelerator and press in the clutch.” It can also mean to do or use less of something. “Ease up on the milk there, that had to last until tomorrow.” “I’m going to ease up on running, I’m losing too much weight.” This phrasal verb can be used in social and professional contexts.

Social Examples (Advance)

1. They pitched the tent at the festival when the rain eased up.
2. Hey, stop shouting. Ease up on him! He made a mistake, and he's sorry!

Professional Examples (Basic)

1. When the company began recruiting again, the workload on existing employees eased up.
2. The holiday season is always our busiest but in January things really ease up in terms of sales.
3. We are actively trying to reduce our use of hard copies to conserve paper and space so I'd ask everyone to ease up on printing unless absolutely necessary.

Further Suggestions