cry off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “cry off” mean?
to withdraw from a previously arranged agreement or commitment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to withdraw from a previously arranged agreement or commitment.
To cancel one's participation in an event, plan, or promise at the last moment, often implying a weak or unconvincing excuse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English. American English speakers would likely understand it but might use 'back out' or 'cancel' more frequently.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a slightly negative connotation of unreliability or flakiness.
Frequency
Common in British spoken English; less frequent but still used in American English, especially in more formal or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cry off” in a Sentence
[Subject] + cry off (from + [event/commitment])[Subject] + cry off + at the last minuteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cry off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's just cried off the cricket match.
- Don't you dare cry off this time!
American English
- She cried off from the weekend trip.
- I had to cry off at the last second.
adjective
British English
- His cry-off excuse was very flimsy.
- We had a cry-off situation.
American English
- It was a typical last-minute cry-off.
- The cry-off rate for the event was high.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The client cried off from the contract signing, citing internal reviews." (Implies unprofessionalism.)
Academic
Rarely used in formal academic writing; more likely in informal discourse between academics.
Everyday
"She cried off the dinner party, saying she had a headache."
Technical
Not applicable in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cry off”
- Using it transitively without 'from' (e.g., 'He cried off the meeting' is acceptable but 'He cried off' is more common).
- Confusing it with 'cry out'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and colloquial. In formal writing, use 'withdraw' or 'cancel one's participation'.
No. It is used primarily for social or personal commitments involving people (events, meetings, promises). You don't 'cry off' a magazine subscription.
A 'cry-off' (often hyphenated) means an instance of crying off or a person who does it. E.g., 'We had three cry-offs this morning.'
'Cancel' is neutral and can apply to anything (events, orders, services). 'Cry off' is more specific and personal, implying a person is withdrawing from a social agreement, often with a hint of letting others down.
to withdraw from a previously arranged agreement or commitment.
Cry off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪ ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪ ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A last-minute cry-off”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone CRYing 'Off, off!' as they run away from a planned event.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMITMENT IS A PHYSICAL PLACE (to be on) / WITHDRAWAL IS A RETREAT (to cry off from it).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'cry off'?