call off

present singular third person calls off · participle present calling off · participle past called off · past called off

1. transitiveTo recall; to cancel or call a halt to.

   If you want me to call off the dog, then get off my land.

   5 more examples

   After four months, the police called off the search for the missing boy.

   Again the opening grew dark with arms holding and guiding another terrier, and Biff began to climb. Wough! wough! wough! Soon she fell into the water. The terriers were called off. Tarka settled more easily, but Tarquol could not rest.

   1927, Henry William Williamson, Tarka the Otter, Chapter 19

   You say either and I say either, You say neither and I say neither Either, either Neither, neither Let's call the whole thing off

   1937, “Let's Call the Whole Thing Off”, Ira Gershwin (lyrics), George Gershwin (music)

   National rail strikes by ASLEF members on September 15 and by RMT members on September 15 and 19 were immediately called off.

   2022 September 21, “Network News: Unions postpone action during period of national mourning”, in RAIL, number 966, page 15

   I don't wanna call it off But you don't wanna call it love You only wanna be the one that I call "baby"

   2024 April 5, Chappell Roan, Justin Tranter, Dan Nigro, “Good Luck, Babe!”performed by Chappell Roan

   Synonyms: cancel, withcall

2. intransitiveTo telephone in one's notice of a day's absence from work.

   Synonyms: call in sick