call it off
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for call it off, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cancel something that had been arranged or was already under way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To cancel something that had been arranged or was already under way.
“The weather closed in, so they called it off at half time.”
Opposites
2. verb
To end a relationship or engagement.
“They called it off six weeks before the wedding.”
How to use call it off
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal but widely used, including in news reporting. 'It' can be replaced by a specific object: call off the search, call off the strike, call off the deal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'call it off' and 'put it off'?
'Call it off' cancels the thing altogether, with no new date. 'Put it off' postpones it, with the intention of doing it later. A cancelled wedding is called off; a delayed meeting is put off.
What does 'call off the dogs' mean?
Literally it means ordering hunting or guard dogs to stop the chase. Figuratively it means telling people to stop pursuing, pressuring or attacking someone — often used of lawyers, journalists or investigators.