What is Phrasal Verb Call Off? Detailed usage of Call off in English!

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Mastering phrasal verbs represents one of the most crucial steps in achieving fluency in English communication. Among these essential expressions, the "phrasal verb call off" stands as a particularly useful verb that native speakers employ daily in both formal and informal contexts. This comprehensive guide will illuminate the precise meanings of "phrasal verb call off," demonstrate its grammatical applications, compare it with similar phrasal verbs, and provide practical exercises to solidify your understanding. Understanding how to use the "phrasal verb call off" correctly will enhance your ability to express cancellation and cessation with confidence and precision.

I. What is Call off in English?
1. 1. Definition & usage
2. 2. Synonyms of Call off in English
II. Differentiating between Call off, Put off and Break off
III. Exercises on using Call off in English

I. What is Call off in English?

Let's find out the call off meaning in English and its common usage in sentences with PREP below!

1. Definition & usage

What is the phrasal verb call off in English? In English, the phrasal verb call off is pronounced as /kɑːl ɒf/ and functions as a phrasal verb. Let's quickly explore two common usages of the phrasal verb call off in English here with PREP!

Usage	Definition	Common targets	Example
Call someone/ something off	to order a dog, or sometimes a person, to stop attacking someone or something	meetings, parties, events, trips, searches, strikes	I shouted to Alex to call his dog off, but he just laughed at me.
Call off something	to decide that a planned event, especially a sports event, will not happen, or to end an activity because it is no longer useful or possible	dogs, attackers, an investigation (to stop it)	The companies called off their merger plans Late Friday cites "adverse market conditions".

To define call off properly, we must understand that this phrasal verb carries the fundamental meaning of stopping or canceling something that was previously planned or in progress. The phrasal verb call off demonstrates versatility in its application across various contexts, from formal business situations to casual everyday conversations.

Understanding the grammatical structure of the phrasal verb call off proves essential for accurate usage in both spoken and written English. The following table summarizes the key grammar rules for using the phrasal verb call off correctly:

Grammar Rule	Explanation	Correct Examples	Incorrect Examples
Transitive	Requires a direct object	"We called off the meeting"	"We called off" ❌
Separable with Nouns	Object can go between or after	"Call off the party" OR "Call the party off"	Both are correct ✓
Separable with Pronouns	Pronoun MUST go between	"Call it off"	"Call off it" ❌
All Tenses	Works in any tense	Present: "We call off" Past: "We called off" Future: "We will call off"	No restrictions

2. Synonyms of Call off in English

Instead of using the phrasal verb call off in English repeatedly, you can flexibly replace it with synonymous words to avoid repetition and monotony. Let's pocket the list of synonyms for the phrasal verb call off in English below with PREP!

Synonyms of Call off in English	Meaning	Example
Cancel /ˈkæn.səl/	to decide that an organized event will not happen, or to stop an order for goods or services that you no longer want	The event was canceled due to the bad weather.
Scrap /skræp/	to not continue with a system or plan	The company had to scrap the new product launch.
Abandon /əˈbæn.dən/	to stop doing an activity before you have finished it	They had to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain.
Curtail /kɚˈteɪl/	to stop something before it is finished, or to reduce or limit something	Due to budget constraints, they had to curtail several planned activities.
Suspend /səˈspend/	to stop something from being active, either temporarily or permanently	The construction work was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns.

II. Differentiating between Call off, Put off and Break off

The following table compares the phrasal verb call off with similar phrasal verbs to help you understand their distinct meanings and usage:

Phrasal Verb	Primary Meaning	Key Nuance	Common Objects	Separability	Example
Call Off	Cancel/Stop	Definitive cancellation or cessation	meetings, events, searches, attacks	Yes	"The mayor called off the parade due to security concerns"
Put Off	Postpone/Delay	Temporary delay with future possibility	appointments, decisions, tasks	Yes	"We put off the family reunion until uncle recovers from surgery"
Break Off	Terminate abruptly	Sudden ending of ongoing situations	relationships, negotiations, discussions	Yes	"The couple broke off their engagement after discovering differences"

The key distinction lies in permanence and timing: the phrasal verb call off suggests definitive cancellation, "put off" implies temporary postponement with future possibility, and "break off" indicates sudden termination of existing situations. Recognizing these subtle differences enhances your ability to choose the most appropriate phrasal verb for specific contexts. When you define call off in comparison to these alternatives, the permanent nature of cancellation becomes more apparent.

III. Exercises on using Call off in English

To better understand the call off meaning in English and accurately differentiate the phrasal verb call off from Put off, let's complete the exercise below with PREP!

Exercise: Choose the correct answer

The decision to _______ the new policy was met with mixed reactions.
- A. Call off
- B. Put off
Due to unexpected circumstances, they had to _______ the product launch on Tuesday next week.
- A. Call off
- B. Put off
The football match was _______ due to heavy rain.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
The protest march was _______ to avoid potential clashes with the authorities.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
The school _______ classes for the day because of a sudden power outage.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
They decided to _______ the business meeting until next month.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
The project was _______ indefinitely due to funding issues.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
Anna had to _______ her vacation plans because of work commitments.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
The concert was _______ because the lead dancer was ill.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off
The party had to be _______ at the last minute due to a family emergency.
- A. Called off
- B. Put off

Answer:

PREP hopes that through this article, you have gained an understanding of what the phrasal verb call off is, pocketed a list of synonyms for the phrasal verb call off in English, and learned how to differentiate it from Put off. Understanding the complete call off meaning and mastering the phrasal verb call off will significantly improve your English communication skills. PREP is excited to share even more insightful language tips with you in the future. Let's follow PREP for more useful English knowledge!

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.