call off
phr. v..phr. v.. to decide that a planned event will not happen.
phr. v.. to cancel a scheduled event or activity; often used when an external factor makes the event impossible or unnecessary.
They had to call off the match because of rain.
The union decided to call off the strike after reaching a new agreement with the management.
The search party was forced to call off the rescue mission as night fell and the weather conditions became life-threatening.
this phrasal verb is transitive and can be used with or without the object between the verb and particle.
contrast with 'put off' (to delay) to avoid common confusion between cancellation and postponement.
The meeting was called out.The meeting was called off.using 'out' instead of 'off' changes the meaning entirely; 'call off' specifically means to cancel.