Phrasal verb
call off
Definitions
01to cancel a plan
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to decide that a planned event will not happen.
phr.v. to cancel or abandon a scheduled event, often due to unfavorable circumstances.
“The referee had to call off the match because the field was flooded.”
“The board decided to call off the merger negotiations after the due diligence report revealed significant undisclosed liabilities.”
Usage
This phrasal verb is transitive and separable; the object can sit between 'call' and 'off'.
Pitfall
They 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'.
02to stop an attack
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to order a person or animal to stop attacking or chasing someone.
phr.v. to order a person or animal to cease an aggressive pursuit or attack.
“Please call off your dog; it is scaring the children.”
“The general was forced to call off the search parties when the blizzard made further movement impossible and dangerous.”
Usage
Usually takes a direct object representing the attacker or the searcher.
Antonyms
03to call in sick
B2 · Upper Intermediate American English · Informal
phr.v. to phone your workplace to say you cannot come in today.
phr.v. to notify an employer of one's absence via telephone.
“I had a terrible fever this morning, so I had to call off.”
“Several employees called off this morning, leaving the retail team severely understaffed during the peak holiday shopping hours.”
Usage
In this sense, the verb is often used intransitively.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “call off” in context.
Verb
01. call off the meeting
“The manager had to call off the meeting because half of the team was sick.”
verb + noun
02. call off the protest
“The organizers called off the protest after the government promised to change the law.”
verb + noun
03. call off the search
“The police had to call off the search because it was getting too dark to see.”
verb + noun
04. call off the strike
“The workers agreed to call off the strike after the company offered a better pay deal.”
verb + noun
05. call off the wedding
“They decided to call off the wedding just two weeks before the ceremony.”
verb + noun
06. suddenly call off the deal
“The investors suddenly called off the deal, leaving the company in a difficult position.”
adv + verb
Teaching tip
contrast with 'put off' (to delay) to avoid common confusion between cancellation and postponement.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
call + (object) + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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