call off - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

call off (third-person singular simple present calls off, present participle calling off, simple past and past participle called off)

  1. (transitive) To recall; to cancel or call a halt to.
    Synonyms: cancel, withcall
    If you want me to call off the dog, then get off my land.
    After four months, the police called off the search for the missing boy.
    • 1927, Henry William Williamson, Tarka the Otter, Chapter 19:
      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.
    • 2022 September 21, “Network News: Unions postpone action during period of national mourning”, in RAIL, number 966, page 15:
      National rail strikes by ASLEF members on September 15 and by RMT members on September 15 and 19 were immediately called off.
  2. (intransitive) To telephone in one's notice of a day's absence from work.
    Synonym: call in sick

to cancel