call off

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to cancel an event, activity, or agreement that was previously planned. It is used when something will not happen at all, unlike 'put off' which just delays it. It can also be used to order an animal or person to stop attacking.

Examples

• They had to call off the football match because the pitch was completely flooded.

  They had to call off the football match because the pitch was completely flooded.

• The union decided to call off the strike after reaching a deal with management.

  The union decided to call off the strike after reaching a deal with management.

• If it keeps raining like this, we might have to call off the picnic.

  If it keeps raining like this, we might have to call off the picnic.

• Call off your dog! It's barking really loudly at me.

  Call off your dog! It's barking really loudly at me.

• She decided to call off the wedding just two weeks before the big day.

  She decided to call off the wedding just two weeks before the big day.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The meeting was called out because the boss was ill.

  ✓ The meeting was called off because the boss was ill.

  Learners often confuse 'call off' (cancel) with 'call out' (to shout or summon someone).

• ✗ They cancelled off the party.

  ✓ They called off the party.

  Do not combine the verb 'cancel' with the preposition 'off'. Use 'cancel' alone, or use the phrasal verb 'call off'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The search party had to ___ the search when it got too dark.

  💡 cancel or stop

  Show answer

  call off

• They decided to ___ the deal because they couldn't agree on the price.

  💡 cancel the agreement

  Show answer

  call off