Temporarily stop working on hedge (3,3)

I believe the answer is:

lay off

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'temporarily stop' is the definition.
'lay off' can be an answer for 'stop' (synonyms). I am not certain of the 'temporarily' bit.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lay off that I've seen before include "Make redundant; hedge (bet)" , "Let staff go because of a downturn" , "Give over!" , "Hedge (bet); suspend (worker)" , "Dismiss temporarily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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