call off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Cancel a planned event
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“They called off the wedding.”
“The school picnic was called off because of rain.”
Common mistake
They called off it.
They called it off.
A pronoun goes in the middle: call it off.
Natural collocations
The word partners “call off” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Call off means cancel a planned event. Call on means ask someone to do something formally.
Test yourself
“They called off the wedding.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
call on
A contrast learners often mix up
Ask someone to do something formally
back off
Same off pattern: stopping
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
blow off
Same off pattern: stopping
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
check off
Same off pattern: stopping
Mark items on a list as done or counted
clear off
Same off pattern: stopping
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay a debt completely
come off
Same off pattern: stopping
Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
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