call off
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to decide that a planned event will not happen.
to cancel or abandon a scheduled event, often due to unfavorable circumstances.
Simple“The referee had to call off the match because the field was flooded.”
In context“The board decided to call off the merger negotiations after the due diligence report revealed significant undisclosed liabilities.”
UsageThis phrasal verb is transitive and separable; the object can sit between 'call' and 'off'.
PitfallThey called off it because of the rain. They called it off because of the rain.When using a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', you must place it between 'call' and 'off'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to order a person or animal to stop attacking or chasing someone.
to order a person or animal to cease an aggressive pursuit or attack.
Simple“Please call off your dog; it is scaring the children.”
In context“The general was forced to call off the search parties when the blizzard made further movement impossible and dangerous.”
UsageUsually takes a direct object representing the attacker or the searcher.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to phone your workplace to say you cannot come in today.
to notify an employer of one's absence via telephone.
Simple“I had a terrible fever this morning, so I had to call off.”
In context“Several employees called off this morning, leaving the retail team severely understaffed during the peak holiday shopping hours.”
UsageIn this sense, the verb is often used intransitively.
Synonymscall in sickAntonymsreport for duty
contrast with 'put off' (to delay) to avoid common confusion between cancellation and postponement.