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.
That prompted ABC to call off the premiere days before it was set to run.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
If the survey of members decides it is not enough to call off strikes, they will go ahead as planned next week.
From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025
Other artists and shows that have been forced to call off performances in China include pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki and jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, Kyodo said.
From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025
In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that he would call off the campaign, effective Monday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025
George pulled Akiko aside and said, “I think I was wrong about Roz. With your permission, I’ll go ask if she can call off the animals.”
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
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.
