cry off

Related to cry off: cried off

cry off

To abandon something that one has promised to do. Andrew was supposed to help me move today, but he cried off this morning, to my great disappointment.
See also: cry, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cry off

Break or withdraw from a promise or agreement, as in We thought we'd bought the car, but the owner cried off at the last minute. [Late 1700s]
See also: cry, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cry off

v.
To decide to break a commitment or promise: My volleyball partner cried off at the last moment and forced me to cancel the game.
See also: cry, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cry out in (something)
  • cry out with (something)
  • sticker
  • sticker shock
  • make it up to (one)
  • make up to
  • oof
  • cry bloody murder
  • welp
  • I wish I'd said that
References in periodicals archive
Entertainment or media industry staff are most likely to cry off, with only 28 per cent avoiding a day off in 2008.
Honest Brits fight pain to get job done; HEALTH
Frank Lampard is the latest big name to cry off from tomorrow's England friendly against Germany.
RESULT!: Sick notes make it the crying game for Fabio
The first Monday in February is known as National Sickie Day, with surveys claiming 300,000 will cry off at a cost of millions to the economy.
NEWS
Ronan Sweeney was expected to make his first appearance of the season but had to cry off after suffering a split lip that required seven stitches.
Gaelic Football: Foleyin line for Kildare
Yesterday Damien Duff was the latest senior player to cry off for tonight's friendly with Holland due to a tight groin.
Football: RACE AGAINST TIME FOR INJURED STARS; INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Rep. of Ireland v Holland, tonight, 7.30 pm
Maggie was in tears as it looked like she would have to cancel - 80 of her 100 guests were forced to cry off.
Chauffeur so good.
The Irish skipper has shrugged off rumours that an ankle injury will force him to cry off from Ireland's most important game in years.
Football: Keane fits bill for Utd
Although Newcastle keeper Shay Given is also ruled out through injury and Rory Delap is expected to cry off due to a tendonitis problem, McCarthy had better news this weekend as none of his other senior players suffered injury.
Football: Carsley misses Port trip
Several panel members have been forced to cry off because of injury, illness and unavailability.
GAA: Kildare in Long wait
PADDY CHRISTIE has become the latest Dublin defender to cry off of their Championship preparations through injury.
Dublin's Christie injured