call off the dogs. 1. To give up attacking someone. The implication in the first is that the dogs were loosed as a form of intimidation and now, having served their purposes, are returned to the kennel.

2. To give up on an unsuccessful chase. As Brewer's puts it, “to break up a disagreeable conversation. In the chase, if the dogs are on the wrong track, the huntsman calls them off. (In French, rompre les chiens).”

In most cases, the clear implication is that there are attack dogs who are to be recalled from the chase. The second usage is less obvious and in some cases both are invoked. When a New York Times editorial near the end of the grueling 2008 race for the Democratic nomination, states that Hillary Clinton “has to call off the dogs,” the editorial board means both to return her attack dogs to the kennel and give up on an unsuccessful chase.

However, it is not always obvious which meaning is intended. In 1994, when former Republican war horse Barry Goldwater suggested that his party let go of the Watergate issue, his constituents in his hometown of Paradise Valley, Arizona were aghast. KFYI talk show host Barry Young said, “Goldwater should know that when your party is hot on the trail and barking up the tree, you don't call off the dogs.” Clearly Mr. Young felt that Goldwater was suggesting that the GOP give up on the chase. But perhaps Mr. Goldwater thought his party was barking up the wrong tree.

Figure 2 “Call Off the Dogs,” by Allan Koss. Used with permission.