1 B1 neutral
To cancel a planned event, action, or agreement.
"The outdoor concert was called off due to the severe weather forecast."
separable
call off
B1 neutral separable transitive
To cancel a planned event, activity, or course of action.
In plain English
Say that something that was planned will not happen.
What does "call off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "call off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
meeting wedding strike search game deal
How to conjugate "call off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "call off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "call off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "call off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
abandon abort axe cancel drop scrap
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.