cry off

British  

verb

1. informal (intr) to withdraw from or cancel (an agreement or arrangement)

---

cry off Idioms  

1. Break or withdraw from a promise or agreement, as in We thought we'd bought the car, but the owner cried off at the last minute. [Late 1700s]

---

Example Sentences

His reply: "I said to David: 'The first name on the England team sheet is David Duckham. If you cry off the whole damn thing is gone and you could never ever live with that.'"

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2022

When they achieve the right balance of historic preservation and modern amenities, Ms. Crestin said, Mr. Knight has been known to cry off camera.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2021

I tried to cry off and she reminded me that she had dragged her ass all the way out to Hackney to see me the week before and I should return the favour.

From The Guardian • Jan. 3, 2017

Rooney has never been the type to conjure up make-believe injuries to cry off international duty.

From The Guardian • Oct. 10, 2016

She makes her way along our row and by the time she gets to me I’m ready to cry off sick with a tummy bug.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler