1
general::
1. Summon away, restrain, as in Please call off your dog. [Early 1600s] 2. Cancel some plan or undertaking, as in She decided to call off their engagement, or In case of rain the picnic will be called off. [Late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): call something off
to cancel an event. • It’s too late to call the party off. The first guests have already arrived. • Because of rain, they called off the baseball game., Phrase(s): call someone or an animal off someone or something [and] call someone or an animal off
to request that someone or an animal stop bothering or pursuing someone or something; to call a halt to an attack by someone or an animal. • Please call your dogs off my brother. • Call off your spying on me, or else!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs