call off
Britishverb
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to cancel or abandon
the game was called off because of rain
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to order (an animal or person) to desist or summon away
the man called off his dog
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to stop (something) or give the order to stop
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Summon away, restrain, as in Please call off your dog . [Early 1600s]
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Cancel some plan or undertaking, as in She decided to call off their engagement , or In case of rain the picnic will be called off . [Late 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Brighthouse has also said that Aquarian could call off the merger if regulators require changes to Brighthouse’s captive reinsurer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
The National Park Service has mandated guardrails for the work, including the potential presence of “protected species observers” who would call off drilling if marine mammals are nearby.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
"We have decided to call off all games on August 5-6 until comprehensive safety measures are established," the KBO said in a statement, citing risks to players and fans as extreme temperatures persist.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
On Wednesday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, dozens of opposition MPs, activists and celebrities renewed their request to him to call off his hunger strike.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Dustfinger tried to call off the dogs, and at first they obeyed him, or at least they let go of Mo, but then Basta succeeded in freeing himself.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
