call off
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
Say that something that was planned will not happen.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To cancel a planned event, action, or agreement.
"The outdoor concert was called off due to the severe weather forecast."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To order an animal, especially a dog, to stop attacking or pursuing someone.
"Call off your dog! It's frightening the children."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
One of the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English. Used for cancelling events, strikes, searches, engagements, and more. Slightly more informal than 'cancel' but widely used across all registers.
Commonly used with
meeting wedding strike search game deal
Forms
Base
call off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
calls off
he/she/it
Past simple
called off
yesterday
Past participle
called off
have + pp
-ing form
calling off
continuous
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Synonyms
cancel abandon scrap axe drop abort
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