Phrase guide

call off the dogs

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

During a one-sided sports contest, to remove the first-string unit of a team from the game after dominating the opponent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • Doing the opponents an obvious favor, the football coach decided to call off the dogs early after his team was up 56-0.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.