单选题 The store had to fire a number of clerks because sales were down.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】选项B．lay off意为“暂时解雇，裁减”，与fire“解雇”意思相近。选项A．lay out意为“布置；展示，摆开”；选项C．lay aside意为“放在一边，留待后用”；选项D．lay down意为“放下，规定”。