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

But, unable to see past the breach of trust, the woman called off the wedding, shocking the couple's friends and leaving Mark upset. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, about 15 miles farther down the coast, dangerous conditions forced authorities to call off a search for a man who was swept into the ocean at Marina State Beach around noon, according to the Marina Police Department. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

More than a dozen school systems, including Metro Nashville Public Schools, called off school Tuesday and Wednesday. —Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

According to this legend, the log must burn in two before the master could call off the festivities and send his laborers back to the fields. —Robert E. May / Made By History, TIME, 19 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