Home UK English ease

Meaning of ease in English:

ease

Pronunciation /iːz/

See synonyms for ease

Translate ease into Spanish

noun

mass noun

  • 1Absence of difficulty or effort.

    ‘she gave up smoking with ease’
    • ‘the manual is clearly written, easy to understand, and designed for ease of use’
    • ‘Presented with a gilt-edged chance, Gardyne attempted to lift his shot over Craig Wight, but the goalkeeper caught the effort with ease.’
    • ‘Women retained their rights to manage their own money and property after marriage and could obtain a divorce with the same ease - or difficulty - as a man.’
    • ‘How has the final sound mixing gone in terms of difficulty or ease?’
    • ‘To many industry professionals, though, the exam's difficulty or ease isn't really the point.’
    • ‘The pair handled the difficult combinations with ease, and the horse flowed across the ground.’
    • ‘The orchestra responds beautifully, handling even the composer's sometimes difficult rhythmic effects with ease.’
    • ‘Usually everything goes off so well that it looks as if putting together a show of this kind, could be done with effortless ease.’
    • ‘Both of these items are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and designed in a way that can minimize discomfort but maximize ease of use.’
    • ‘The absence of long cords and the ease of getting the tool into tight or awkward places are what make cordless tools so valuable.’
    • ‘Safe areas also minimized ‘permeability,’ that is, the ease of entry to and exit from the neighborhood or housing area.’
    • ‘Let's get back to Europe now, the financing of these groups, the ease of travel since the European Union dropped travel restrictions.’
    • ‘Explosive growth has even come to Egyptology, thanks to the ease with which source materials can now be distributed by CD and online.’
    • ‘Everyone is welcome, though I can't vouch for the ease of finding parking if you're coming in from outside Stanford.’
    • ‘I was really impressed with the ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality built into the web meeting application.’
    • ‘Given the ease of desktop publishing, use a font that people can read and provide adequate space for writing responses.’
    • ‘We observed the ease of communication among focus group women, with one group even claiming that the data collection exercise was therapeutic in itself.’
    • ‘Among other things, the ease with which they traveled around the world is striking.’
    • ‘More and more, people are opting for the ease of watching the games at home.’
    • ‘A patchwork of conflicting laws will do nothing to improve the ease of use of e-mail communications.’
    • ‘It is just as easy to imagine the relative ease of compiling such information when the separate records are entered into online databases.’
    effortlessness, no difficulty, no trouble, no bother, facility, facileness, simplicity
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1Absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise.
      ‘I was always vexed by her self-contained ease’
      • ‘Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease.’
      • ‘The ease and humor that he displayed in his I-do-not-choose-to-run press conference should quiet the put-downs.’
      • ‘Hass is relentless in her challenge to authority, but her real uniqueness lies in her ability to literally cross from one side to the next with an uncanny ease.’
      • ‘In fact, I told him that you and Regis are two of the people I admire in our business, because of the ease with which you are able to interact with all of your guests.’
      • ‘With the ease of a talented DJ, Thornton engages in a form of culture jamming that is at once global and highly personal.’
      • ‘He speculates about the personal stories of strangers in bars and offers up tales of his childhood with the ease of a trusted friend.’
      • ‘But it's not clear to me he quite yet has the ease and command in debate settings that he'll need in a narrowed down race.’
      • ‘She surmounted the role's many difficulties with ease and grace and imbued the Czech language with particular bite.’
      • ‘In a report packed with adjectives, another daily claimed that Anna answered questions with effortless ease.’
      • ‘Washed and crumpled cotton, silk and linen contribute to a tone of ease and effortless femininity.’
      • ‘Her face portrayed a picture of ease and peace, of comfort and contentment.’
      • ‘As he grew smaller down the street, I realized that behind the skater's ease and freedom was a huge amount of control.’
      • ‘The nearest he got to a criminal act was the day he forgot his house keys and broke into his own home using a credit card with nonchalant ease.’
      • ‘She is a consummate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb.’
      • ‘His natural ease in front of the camera led to a contract with CBS.’
      • ‘You can't spend much time with him without being awed by both his ease in the natural world and his willpower.’
      • ‘Thomas's rise has been marked as much by her keen sense of timing as by her natural ease on camera.’
      • ‘"Come on in, good looking, " he said with practiced ease.’
      • ‘Whether it requires her to be casual, peppy or sensual, Jesse walks the ramp with ease and evident pleasure.’
      • ‘Fortunately, some others navigated through the weekend with ease and good humor.’
      naturalness, casualness, informality, unceremoniousness, lack of reserve, lack of constraint, relaxedness, amiability, affability
      View synonyms
    2. 1.2Freedom from worries or problems.
      ‘a life of wealth and ease’
      • ‘It is relentlessly positive and constantly whispering the mantra of ease and happiness through wealth and the purchase of this or that brand name product.’
      • ‘Our material ease and the freedoms it has spawned are dangerous illusions, and now comes the reckoning.’
      • ‘She was by then in her late thirties and had lived a life of great wealth and ease.’
      • ‘I was a child of the suburbs, I felt cheated and robbed of my birthright of ease and pleasure.’
      • ‘If he bets on atheism, however, he will have a life of ease and pleasure - a daily ration of brownies and milk.’
      • ‘He has caught a glimpse of a new, golden world of wealth and ease, at the center of which stands a lovely and aristocratic woman.’
      • ‘Their child, they agreed, would lead a life of ease and happiness.’
      • ‘Besides, she says, she thought the beauty of a country home lay in its casual, prop-your-feet-up ease.’
      • ‘They've joked with soldiers in the darkest hours of human conflict, just as they've celebrated with them in the times of ease and joy.’
      • ‘As conceived here, his life was a simple one of ease, pleasure, and boundless free time.’
      • ‘This is bad news for the magazine, which, despite its lock on the market and air of wealth and ease, is hardly a cash cow.’
      peace, peacefulness, calmness, tranquillity, composure, serenity, repose, restfulness, quiet, contentment, security, comfort
      affluence, wealth, prosperity, prosperousness, luxury, opulence, plenty, sufficiency
      View synonyms

verb

  • 1with object Make (something unpleasant or intense) less serious or severe.

    ‘a huge road-building programme to ease congestion’
    • ‘the doctor will give you something to ease the pain’
    • ‘unburdening herself did nothing to ease her misery’
    • ‘The process will test his ability to make good on his promises to use rail to ease Westside traffic congestion.’
    • ‘He said network congestion would be eased in Windhoek with the opening of additional base stations.’
    • ‘The U.S. boom has softened a bit lately, easing some of the pressure on central bankers in both countries to hurry up and raise rates.’
    • ‘It might cost the state more in the short term, but it would have long-term benefits by easing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the €12 billion-a-year medical service.’
    • ‘The new buildings will form the first phase of plans to extend the school and will enable St Margaret's to offer two classes in the reception intake, easing the school's long waiting lists.’
    • ‘Railtrack plans to replace about 25 miles of track and more than 50 sets of points, removing or easing a further 100 more speed restrictions.’
    • ‘The stronger rupiah during the first quarter eases the company's foreign debt burden of nearly $1 billion.’
    • ‘The situation could be considerably eased by the provision of key staff as laid out in the Service Plan.’
    • ‘Pressure on Sligo's ever increasing housing list could be eased if more derelict houses were repaired, refurbished and re-allocated.’
    • ‘He vehemently denies that season-ticket sales are down, and hopes that their financial predicament can be eased by a run in Europe.’
    • ‘Train delays and cancellations may be eased by the development of a wireless-based network that helps railway companies use their rolling stock more efficiently.’
    • ‘The following tips can help ease financial difficulties.’
    • ‘On the other hand, some suggested the result may help ease tensions in strained cross-strait relations.’
    • ‘The car park will also hopefully ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties.’
    • ‘Lemongrass and Ginger are both excellent for muscular aches and pains, and together with Geranium, they help ease digestive difficulties.’
    • ‘We worked with the Defense Department to build more facilities to ease the overcrowding there.’
    • ‘In many cases early disclosure facilitates settlement and eases the burden of expensive litigation.’
    • ‘Yet for years, European leaders have been pushing for easing or eliminating those very sanctions.’
    • ‘Gambling restrictions have been eased recently, which makes it easier to open casinos.’
    • ‘Plans to ease parking problems which residents say have been making their lives a misery have been delayed.’
    relieve, alleviate, mitigate, assuage, allay, soothe, soften, palliate, ameliorate, mollify, moderate, tone down, blunt, dull, deaden, numb, take the edge off
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1no object Become less serious or severe.
      ‘international tension began to ease’
      • ‘‘When I get tense, I see the funny side and begin to laugh and then the tension eases,’ he explains.’
      • ‘Then the sadness and shame began to ease, and I realised that they were not productive feelings.’
      • ‘Tensions eased with each passing moment and the three friends began joking with each other.’
      • ‘There was no sign this weekend that tensions were easing.’
      • ‘He acknowledged, however, that further support may be necessary if the economy fails to pick up when geopolitical tensions had eased.’
      • ‘This so surprised him that his trembling eased and his breath began to return.’
      • ‘A period of austerity, which began to ease in the 1950s, followed World War II.’
      • ‘The wind began to ease as the evening set in and I cast out the catfish rigs with a little, though not too much, hope.’
      • ‘As he awoke, the wind began to ease and a chink of sun showed.’
      • ‘So there was some friction there, but as time passed, they then started reporting that these frictions had begun to ease and the people united.’
      • ‘Everyone at the table laughed, the tension easing.’
      • ‘The £47.9 million route opened for traffic last week and within hours congestion in the town centre was beginning to ease.’
      • ‘The rain began in the early hours and seemed to be easing as late evening approached but the real deluge came as darkness came on.’
      • ‘We can't avoid the pain of change and loss, but it eases the more willingly we're able to embrace change.’
      • ‘The housing crunch may be easing little by little, but that is no excuse for busting people who want to keep the issue of affordable shelter alive.’
      • ‘The pain was still easing, or he was getting used to it - he wasn't sure.’
      • ‘It will need care, and you'll have to accept certain limitations, but otherwise do your best to live around the pain until it eases.’
      • ‘The pain eased, settling into a nagging ache, low down.’
      • ‘The hurt will ease, the pain will be less and there will be happier days ahead.’
      • ‘Water levels began to fall by yesterday morning, however, as the heavy downpour gradually eased.’
      abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end
      View synonyms
    2. 1.2Make (something) happen more easily; facilitate.
      ‘Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making’
      • ‘Behind the slick new steel and glass facades, what can you expect in the way of facilities to ease the MBA learning experience?’
      • ‘The same materials are expected to be used in the larger extension, which will have a conveyor link to the existing facility to ease the transfer of airfreight.’
      • ‘He urged Government to prioritise the provision of facilities that would ease the education and employment access of the blind.’
      • ‘During most of this period, we didn't enjoy the computer facilities now available to ease the job of an investor.’
      • ‘Motivations were nonetheless always framed by political and economic climates, and the availability of familial and governmental assistance in easing the journey.’
      • ‘Some were installed for mountaineers, to ease the approaches to climbs, and some to facilitate the passage of troops during the First World War.’
      • ‘Such simplified set-up could ease the dissemination of a simple, indirect challenge test for BHR in young children.’
      • ‘The rounding facility was probably included to ease transition to the regulations when they first came into force.’
      • ‘Cariss is hoping that Nelson's success will encourage a potential sponsor to step forward and ease his transition into the pro game.’
      • ‘I guess it's some kind of human body defense mechanism, keeping my eye closed to reduce the pain and ease the ‘healing process’.’
      • ‘Incorporating learning activities into an everyday routine can help ease the transition to kindergarten.’
      facilitate, make easy, make easier, expedite, speed up, assist, help, aid, advance, further, forward, smooth the way for, clear the way for, simplify
      View synonyms
    3. 1.3no object (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount.
      ‘shares eased 6p to 224p’
      • ‘House price inflation needs to ease to a rate of 6 per cent if a disorderly correction is to be avoided.’
      • ‘The report came amid improving macroeconomic indicators as inflation has eased, interest rates are down and the rupiah has strengthened.’
      • ‘They feel that though interest rates should ease, banks may not be in a position to slash their lending rates.’
      • ‘But now that meat prices are easing, growth figures to be much tougher.’
      • ‘Plus, gas prices should ease as seasonal demand slows.’
      • ‘But as new coal mines are developed, prices will ease somewhat.’
      • ‘The company said that as interest rates start to rise prices will ease.’
      • ‘However, the rate of inflation eased to a five-month low and was well below the average for 2005 so far.’
      • ‘Relying on the appreciating euro exchange rate to ease upward pressure on prices is no excuse for real initiatives.’
      • ‘The survey highlighted the midlands as a potential growth area for retailers, but it did expect this growth rate to ease over the next six months.’
      • ‘Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows.’
      • ‘In later trading the rate eased to $1.2017 as markets took a harder look at the realities facing the US.’
      • ‘Oil prices are easing in the face of rising inventories.’
      • ‘Crude oil and refined product prices have eased sufficiently for us to be able to pass it on at the pump.’
      • ‘However, after hitting new record highs, prices eased yesterday, raising hopes that they might start to ease back to more moderate levels.’
      • ‘After huge spikes in late summer, gas prices have eased just a bit.’
      • ‘While oil prices have eased in the past two weeks in dollar terms the cost of oil in euros has gone above the €40 mark for the first time.’
      • ‘This goes with other signs that house price inflation is easing and that the housing market has passed the peak of the boom.’
      • ‘Inflation is easing faster than expected, while economic performances abroad and at home are uncertain.’
      • ‘‘Inflation will ease over the year, but we are not expecting widespread house price falls,’ he said.’
      decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, lower, moderate, ease, soothe, relieve, dampen, calm, tone down, alleviate, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate, temper, appease, attenuate
      View synonyms
    4. 1.4Nautical Slacken a rope or sail.
      • ‘The ship ran aground for three minutes before it was eased off.’

  • 2no object, with adverbial of direction Move carefully or gradually.

    ‘I eased down the slope with care’
    • ‘the boat eased away from the harbour’
    • ‘Murmuring soft words of comfort and nonsense, she eased herself carefully along the wall, bringing her hand along the side of the horse.’
    • ‘Carefully, she eased over across the floor to the door, then moving as fast as she could, she swung it open.’
    • ‘Balancing the car on the throttle and I eased myself around for a couple of laps to familiarise myself with the setup.’
    • ‘Opening the door she eased carefully into the passenger seat with her eyes never leaving him.’
    • ‘Dustin eased himself over the edge, searching for a foothold, which he soon found.’
    • ‘Carefully, she moved a hand forward and eased back the white sheets.’
    • ‘Slipping his feet over one end, he gingerly eased himself down.’
    • ‘After a moment or two, he eased himself up and looked over the edge.’
    • ‘Confused, I eased myself from the water and walked round the pool edge, flabby and dripping.’
    • ‘At about five hundred yards he eased back on the throttle, the bows slowly lowered.’
    • ‘On his first competitive outing in the 2002 Ferrari, he lacked that crucial edge to ease ahead of Montoya, finishing one-tenth off pole.’
    • ‘The woman eased herself into the chair opposite him.’
    • ‘She winced as she eased herself into the hot water.’
    • ‘Lorries advertising this and that Irish product or activity were slowly easing themselves into their places, causing disruption to the traffic.’
    • ‘‘Sure do,’ he replied, easing himself up from his chair, his movements stiff.’
    • ‘The new Greek island ferry - retired from the Baltic only last year - eases her stern against the pier.’
    • ‘She began easing over to the payphone, trying to listen in on his conversation.’
    • ‘He slowly eases his waist forward to demonstrate.’
    • ‘He eased the stick forward and aimed for the river.’
    • ‘She leaned forward to ease her wrist out of his grip.’
    • ‘She staggered to the door and eased it open, blinking irritably.’
    • ‘His voice was anxious as he eased closer to her and tightened his hold on her hand.’
    move slowly, ease, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide
    View synonyms
    1. 2.1with object and adverbial of direction Move (someone or something) carefully or gradually.
      ‘she eased off her shoes’
      • ‘the pilot eased the throttle back’
      • ‘he brought in someone new and eased them into the job’
      • ‘I think we need to ease Richard into a job with the Civil Service.’
      • ‘It remembers your previous volume setting just like a normal radio, but instead of jumping to that volume it slowly fades up to it, easing you into whatever happens to be playing at the moment.’
      • ‘It is effortlessly uplifting, totally breezy and an ideal way of easing you into what follows.’
      • ‘Three Staunton penalties eased Ireland into the game and he converted his own try and the first of left wing Gary Brown's two.’
      • ‘Christmas Eve strikes a more gentle note, with Traditional Musical entertainment easing you into the big day.’
      • ‘And in this smooth manner he eased Gödel into conversation.’
      • ‘The team has eased Wuertz into the picture, making sure he hasn't had to come into games with runners on base.’
      • ‘Here's a roundup of helpful tips and resources gathered from CalCPA members to ease you into yet another tax season.’
      • ‘One pub chain will offer free champagne to shellfish buyers to ease them into a romantic mood.’
      • ‘This would allow Boston to ease Youkilis into the majors, which would be a good thing because he's probably not ready to be there full-time yet.’
      • ‘The Falcons would be wise to ease Vick into the lineup, but that will be tough because the fans want to see him sooner rather than later.’
      • ‘Mac sighed and took a step closer, shrugging slightly to help ease Bryce into accepting.’
      • ‘The best way to approach him could be to ease him into the subject.’
      • ‘However, there are some statistics that show that newcomers to nursing are not being introduced in a way that eases them into the workplace.’
      • ‘This film does an excellent job of easing you into its world.’
      • ‘In instrumental form, it's an epic in its own right, easing you into a laidback mood, and generally making you feel good.’
      • ‘It was aimed at easing her into a life of independence as she approached 16.’
      • ‘I am back in training now, although I am just easing myself into it and starting to pick things up.’
      • ‘He has been easing himself into the role since then, working alongside Good to develop a vision and strategy for the company.’
      • ‘By the time Dr Elliot has eased herself into the job, it will be time to hand over.’

Phrases

    at ease

    • 1

      (also at one's ease)
      Free from worry or awkwardness; relaxed.

      ‘she was never quite at ease with Phil’
      • ‘The main courses arrived swiftly, with the kind of faultlessly friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive service that always puts you at your ease in a restaurant.’
      • ‘The master of ceremonies will welcome each of the contestants in turn, set them at their ease, and introduced the musical item that each will render.’
      • ‘He had a great way with people, and had the remarkable ability to put customers at their ease.’
      • ‘It's informal and friendly and sets me at my ease immediately.’
      • ‘He was mild-mannered and polite, attempting light humour to put me at my ease.’
      • ‘The door slammed shut behind him and I jumped, but Mother seemed perfectly at ease.’
      • ‘I could tell by our team's attitude that they seemed to be totally at ease when they took the field.’
      • ‘With Will it's so easy not to feel intimidated because he puts you at ease.’
      • ‘Now vulnerable people can feel more at ease knowing that recruits are signing up to stop doorstep con-artists.’
      • ‘The only way to set your mind at ease before purchasing a supplement is to check out the facts first.’
      1. 1.1Military In a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command)
        ‘all right, stand at ease!’
        • ‘Both girls ceased their jitters and tried to stand at ease, gnawing away at their lips.’
        • ‘I halted in front of the sentry box, turned to the front and stood at ease.’
        • ‘The soldiers at Micklegate Bar are not marching but are stood at ease, and may well have been from the Army Cadet Corps.’
        • ‘To my surprise, he was standing at ease, talking to an old lady who was seated on one of the chairs in the alcove.’
        • ‘He joined Neal, Arlyn and Lori, standing at ease on the other side of the stage.’
    ease someone's mind

    • Alleviate someone's anxiety.

      ‘concentrating on the stitching helped to ease her mind’
      • ‘I went to a church service in the village last night and that eased my mind.’
      • ‘This will help your weight loss by easing your mind and tricking your body's metabolism and avoid plateauing.’
      • ‘‘Well someone had to be on this island to plant the treasure,’ Dara explained, easing his mind.’
      • ‘It was a pleasure meeting you, sir: I hope I have eased your mind about Lord Robert.’
      • ‘I hope that some of these wedding vow samples have eased your mind somewhat and maybe even given you a few ideas to use for your own vows.’
      • ‘I'm glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree.’
      • ‘Glancing around the dinner, I noticed that it was fairly empty, which somehow eased my mind.’
      • ‘Thank you so much for writing, you have eased my mind considerably on the topic of my brother.’
      • ‘The rattling noise began to disappear, and that eased his mind greatly, knowing that he was only a little way away from turning into the next street he needed.’
      • ‘Listening to a toad croak, concentrating on it, eased his mind.’

Phrasal Verbs

    ease off

    • 1Become less serious or severe.

      ‘the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours’
      • ‘the snow was easing up’
      abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end
      View synonyms
      1. 1.1Do something with more moderation.
        ‘I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you’
        • ‘One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded.’
        • ‘With all this, it seems unlikely that he would care to appease his critics by easing up on the self-promotion.’
        • ‘If road deaths decrease you don't ease up on road safety.’
        • ‘Wanderers are ready to end their interest unless the Newcastle winger eases up on his demands for a three-year contract.’
        • ‘There was considerable pressure from the United States as well for him to ease up and to offer humanitarian relief.’
        • ‘Now approaching her 80th birthday, she shows no sign of easing up - and it's Peggy who can be relied upon to open the hospice's charity shop each morning.’
        • ‘At an age, 39 years, when most other athletes are easing up and participating at veterans' level, Anne is probably running better that she ever has in her life.’
        • ‘The bully pulpit can be grabbed if he combines cutting tax rates with lowering interest rates and easing up on Fed monetary policy.’
        • ‘Back today after a 21-day ban for easing up prematurely and being beaten on a clear leader at Pontefract, he has a good chance at Redcar.’
        • ‘The Moroccan went clear in the final 30 metres and even had the luxury of easing up before raising two fingers, one for each of his Athens triumphs, as he crossed.’
        • ‘In a sense, easing up on training can improve performance.’
        • ‘He tells jokes pretty well, though he could do with easing up on the old self-satisfied smirk after the punchline.’
        • ‘Just because one tyrant is being edged closer to retirement doesn't mean that other members of the club are easing up on their coercion.’
        • ‘It's attitude that has propelled the band into super-stardom and there's no sign of them easing up on it.’
        • ‘The government is showing signs of easing up on building nuclear weapons and controlling foreign aid.’
        • ‘The government has been very attentive to the needs of the public sector since coming to office in 1997 and, with Benchmarking II coming down the line, shows no sign of easing off.’
        • ‘No one could blame Wicklow for easing off in the last ten minutes and while Roscommon scored 1-2 in that time they never looked like closing the gap.’
        • ‘However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off.’
        • ‘You're in taper mode, easing off on intensity and volume or setting off on your trip.’
        • ‘Over 60 years of work are documented here, and Davie shows no sign of easing off.’
    ease out

    • ease someone out, ease out someoneGradually exclude someone from a post, especially by devious or subtle manoeuvres.

      ‘after the scandal he was eased out of his job’
      • ‘It looks more and more as if he was eased out not so much because of what he did, but because certain elements in the Labour Party wanted rid of him.’
      • ‘But, as I say, the plan is to ease them out of that.’
      • ‘The Army, contrary to perception, tends to ease them out of frontline duty.’
      • ‘I have heard it said that you were eased out of Washington, perhaps at British suggestion, because your independence made you unmanageable.’
      • ‘At the time of the Agreement, they were actually afraid that they would be eased out,’ Murphy said.’
      • ‘When Cedric was eased out, Rajinder Singh, basking on the victory as junior coach, secured the plum post of the chief coach for the senior team.’
      • ‘Unfortunately though, I think it is unlikely that he will be eased out soon, unless of course he calls it a day after his 100th test.’
      • ‘It's high time he was eased out.’
      • ‘Adds another BCC insider: ‘Nobody's easing Wayne out yet.’’
      • ‘Although the company later eased him out - due to his conflicting newspaper interests - his new schedule largely survived and prospered.’
      • ‘It is ironic that after he guided the national team to a rare LG Cup triumph in 2002, there is an effort now to ease him out.’
      • ‘Since you can't fire the current manager, ease him out by finding a cushy, better paying sinecure elsewhere.’
      • ‘He's rumoured to be injured, but talk suggests that his ‘injury’ is being talked up so as to ease him out without humiliating him.’
      • ‘I managed to ease him out by insisting on demonstrations that had to be practised in rehearsals and soon we dropped the show.’
      • ‘But if Wilson is happy to continue in Belfast, RBS would have no good reason to ease him out.’
      • ‘‘Two weeks ago, I said, ‘Put together a plan to ease her out; make arrangements.’’
      • ‘The big question now is whether he was eased out early over this deal and whether the board will ever investigate how this happen.’
      • ‘So, was this just a way of easing me out early, without admitting it?’
      • ‘The book is valuable for its recounting of the way in which Deng saved his reform program and slowly eased the older leadership generations out of power.’
      • ‘They talk as if the anchorman was eased out of his job merely for some error of fact such as any journalist is statistically certain to make every now and then.’

Origin

Middle English from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise ‘at ease’; in later use from the noun.