lay off vs sign on

lay off

verb
  • In painting, to apply gentle strokes to smooth a wet coat of paint so as to remove visible roller- or brush-marks, commonly using a dry brush; a similar technique, but using a loaded laying-off brush, may produce a smooth coat of paint when using a roller or the usual brush techniques would leave marks. 

  • To place all or part of a bet with another bookmaker in order to reduce risk. 

  • To plan out (a navigational course) using a chart. 

  • To cease, quit, stop (doing something). 

  • (of an employer) To dismiss (workers) from employment, e.g. at a time of low business volume or through no fault of the worker, often with a severance package. 

  • To stop bothering, teasing, or pestering someone; to leave (someone) alone. 

sign on

noun
  • The time of day when a radio or television station begins broadcasting, usually after being off the air for several hours. 

verb
  • To begin broadcasting a radio or television signal, usually at the beginning of a broadcasting day and after being off the air for several hours. 

  • To commit oneself, as to a project, a goal, an organization, a cause. 

  • To join something, after signing. 

  • To apply to receive unemployment benefits. 

  • To log on; to start using a computer, radio, etc., or to start talking. 

How often have the words lay off and sign on occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )