call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1

: to draw away : divert

2

: cancel

Synonyms

• abstract
• detract
• distract
• divert
• throw off

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest

called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2017, Dhillon represented the Berkeley College Republicans in a lawsuit after the university had initially called off an event where Ann Coulter was going to speak. —Jose Fabian, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2024

However, by May 2014, the merger was called off because of unresolved issues, including disagreements over how the company should be balanced. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

In the wake of the Kennedy assassination, many sporting events were called off, and the raucous, patriotic annual match between the two service academies nearly met the same fate. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024

After searching for the men for nearly 24 hours and over 108 square miles, the search was called off on Monday, Dec. 2. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

call off

verb

1

: to draw away : divert

call off a dog

2

: cancel sense 2a

call off a meeting