1.

Two hundred men have been laid off at the glass factory.

There have been two hundred LAYOFFS at the glass factory.
LAYOFFS = dismissals

2.

The damaged Mini was written off completely.

The damaged Mini was a complete WRITE-OFF.
WRITE-OFF = loss

3.

Fred's showing off terribly!

Fred's a terrible SHOW-OFF!
SHOW-OFF = exhibitionist

4.

We usually lie in on Sundays until about 10 o'clock.

We usually have a LIE-IN on Sundays until about 10 o'clock.
LIE-IN = nap

5.

The old house costs about 500 dollars a week to keep up.

The UPKEEP of the old house costs about 500 dollars a week.
UPKEEP = maintenance

6.

We're going to Spain on holiday, so I should brush up my Spanish.

We're going to Spain on holiday, so I should give my Spanish a BRUSH-UP.
BRUSH-UP = improvement

7.

I have a lot of history notes to catch up on.

I have a lot of CATCHING-UP to do on history notes.
CATCHING-UP = update

8.

The car broke down again on the way to New York.

The car had a BREAKDOWN again on the way to New York.
BREAKDOWN = failure

9.

The teacher told Peter off for pulling the girls' hair in class.

The teacher gave Peter a TELLING-OFF for pulling the girls' hair in class.
TELLING-OFF = reprimand

10.

Marion's not used to being let down in this way.

Marion's not used to LET-DOWNS of this kind (sort).
LET-DOWNS = frustrations