Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the most appropriate option:
The deal struck between the two parties was __________ after the death of the cartel head.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → called off
Call off means to cancel something that was planned or agreed. After the death of the cartel head, the deal between the two parties was cancelled.
Example: The match was called off because of rain.
Complete sentence: The deal struck between the two parties was called off after the death of the cartel head.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: called up — Incorrect. Call up means to telephone someone, or to order someone to join the armed forces; it does not mean cancelling.
Example: He was called up for army service.
Option 3: called on — Incorrect. Call on means to visit someone briefly, or to ask someone formally to do something; a deal cannot be visited.
Example: We called on our neighbours on Sunday.
Option 4: called down — Incorrect. Call down means to ask for something to come from above (call down blessings), or, in informal American use, to scold someone; it is not used for ending a deal.
Example: The priest called down blessings on the couple.