The phrasal verb call off primarily means to cancel an event, an agreement, or an ongoing activity. It implies that something that was previously planned, scheduled, or in progress will no longer take place.
This expression is semi-idiomatic; while "call" suggests a verbal command, the combination with "off" creates a specific meaning of cessation that isn't immediately obvious from the individual words. In terms of register, it is neutral, making it equally appropriate for casual conversation, journalism, and professional business contexts.
Grammatically, call off is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It follows a verb + particle pattern.
One of its most important features is that it is separable. This means the object can be placed either after the particle or between the verb and the particle:
However, if the object is a pronoun, it must go in the middle: "They called it off" (not "They called off it").
Typical objects include events (weddings, strikes, matches), legal or military actions (searches, invasions, lawsuits), or figurative threats ("the dogs"). It sounds unnatural to use call off for physical objects (e.g., "call off a lamp") or for people, unless you are using the idiomatic expression "call off the dogs," which means to stop someone from attacking or criticizing another person.
These examples are sourced from call off on Ludwig.guru.
"Call off the execution." — theguardian.com
"'Call off the strike,' he said." — nytimes.com
"This made G. call off the suit." — newyorker.com
"Call off the deal, Peronella says." — newyorker.com
"So please, I beg you: call off the detective." — newyorker.com
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| cancel | The most direct synonym; neutral and highly versatile for all contexts. |
| abort | Often used in technical, military, or medical contexts to stop a process mid-way. |
| scrap | Informal; implies abandoning a plan or idea because it is no longer useful. |
| withdraw | Formal; used for taking back an offer, a statement, or a legal claim. |
| annul | Very formal/legalistic; used specifically for declaring a marriage or contract invalid. |
| stand down | Often used in military or protest contexts to mean stop an aggressive posture. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| call off | To cancel a planned event or action | Transitive, Separable Phrasal Verb | Neutral |
The phrasal verb call off is separable, meaning the direct object can be placed between the verb and the particle. For example, you can say "call off the wedding" or "call the wedding off," though if you use a pronoun, it must be placed in the middle as in "call it off."
While both terms mean to stop a planned event, call off is a phrasal verb often used for actions in progress or specific organized events like strikes or searches. Cancel is a more formal transitive verb that is universally applicable to appointments, subscriptions, and legal documents.
No, this is a common mistake where learners confuse call off with put off. You should use put off or postpone for a delay, whereas call off signifies that the meeting is completely cancelled and will not occur at all.
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