she called off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she called off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has canceled or decided not to proceed with something, such as an event or an arrangement. Example: "She called off the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

So she called off the game.

The New York Times

She called off the trip to Europe and had a second operation on Oct. 15 with a different surgical team.

The New York Times - Sports

She called off the tour, and her manager drove her to Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge.

The New York Times - Books

But if she called off the picnic because there was no time to find food, then what did they have if not time?

The New Yorker

So she called off the engagement — not to break up, she said, but "to get his attention".

The New York Times

Last week, she called off a planned visit to the United States, after she learned that the N.S.A. had gained access to her own e-mails, telephone calls and text messages.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He spares her life on the condition that she call off her enmity with Scáthach, and bear him a son.

Wikipedia

When Susan learns that the two had made a bet on her in a game of poker, she calls off the wedding and declares that she does not want to see either of them again.

Wikipedia

He failed to complete the task successfully, and she subsequently called off the wedding.

Independent

Mirza had been engaged to a longtime family friend, but in January of that year it was reported that she had called off the engagement.

The New Yorker

Tonight, Ms. Sung said she had called off the hunger strike and decided to abide by his decision to end the marriage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she called off" when you want to clearly and directly state that a previously scheduled event, arrangement, or commitment has been canceled or abandoned.

Common error

Avoid using "she called off" when you mean something was delayed or postponed. "Called off" implies a complete cancellation, not a temporary halt. Use "postponed" or "delayed" instead if the event might still happen in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she called off" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of canceling or abandoning something. It commonly describes a decision made to terminate a previously planned event or arrangement. Ludwig provides multiple examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she called off" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a woman has canceled or abandoned a previously planned event or arrangement. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to inform or report a change in plans, making it suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "she cancelled" or "she terminated" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance and formality desired. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey a complete cancellation rather than a mere delay. It is important to know that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she cancelled

Direct synonym; replaces "called off" with a single word indicating cancellation.

she aborted

Implies stopping something before it's completed, similar to calling something off.

she backed out of

Suggests withdrawing from a commitment or plan.

she withdrew from

Similar to backing out, but can also imply a more formal removal from an event or agreement.

she postponed

Indicates a delay rather than a complete cancellation, but shares the element of halting something planned.

she terminated

Indicates a formal ending or cancellation.

she revoked

Suggests a formal cancellation or withdrawal, often of an agreement or offer.

she scrapped

Suggests discarding or abandoning a plan or project.

she abandoned

Implies a complete and often abrupt cessation of involvement.

she put an end to

More emphatic way of saying that something has been stopped.

FAQs

What does "she called off" mean?

The phrase "she called off" means that she canceled or decided not to proceed with something that was previously planned or scheduled. It indicates a termination of arrangements.

What are some alternatives to "she called off"?

Alternatives to "she called off" include "she cancelled", "she aborted", or "she terminated", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "she called off" in formal writing?

Yes, "she called off" is appropriate for use in formal writing, but you may consider alternatives such as "she cancelled" or "she terminated" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "she called off" and "she postponed"?

"She called off" means something is canceled and will not happen, while "she postponed" means something is delayed and may happen at a later time. Postponement is not definitive like calling something off.