cry off
phr. v..phr. v.. to say you cannot do something you previously agreed to do.
phr. v.. to withdraw from a commitment or engagement after having initially agreed to participate; typically used in social or informal contexts.
He agreed to come but cried off at the last minute.
We were supposed to go hiking this weekend, but Sarah cried off because she felt ill.
The sponsors decided to cry off once they realized the project would not meet its original deadline.
- Particles
- off
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- cry + off (+ from + object)
often used when someone cancels plans late or without a very strong reason.
this is primarily British English; contrast it with 'back out', which sounds slightly more serious or formal regarding business contracts.
He cried off the meeting.He cried off from the meeting.when used with an object, the preposition 'from' is usually required, though it is often used without an object at all.