call off
Third Person
calls off
Present Participle
calling off
Past Tense
called off
Past Participle
called off
1
to cancel what has been planned
transitive
- We might need to call off the picnic if it keeps raining.
- The event was called off at the last minute due to low attendance.
- The coach called the practice session off due to heavy rain.
- She was disappointed when they called the wedding off.
- The authorities had to call off the festival due to security concerns.
2
to command a person or animal to cease their aggressive behavior
transitive
- The officer called off the police dog as soon as the suspect surrendered.
- The owner called off the aggressive cat before it could harm the visiting guests.
- The zookeeper had to call off the charging elephant to avoid any injuries.
- The security guard called off the aggressive person at the entrance.
- The sergeant called the soldiers off from pursuing the fleeing enemy.
3
(in square dancing) to guide the dance and give instructions for the steps
transitive
- The experienced caller can call off intricate patterns with ease.
- The instructor called off the dance, helping beginners navigate the steps.
- During the event, the expert caller called off various dances, delighting the crowd.
- The caller skillfully called off the square dance, creating a lively atmosphere.
- The seasoned caller can call off the dance effortlessly, even with complex sequences.
Synonyms: