When can an offer be withdrawn without issue?

An offer can be withdrawn without issue before it has been accepted because, at that point, the offeror still has full control over the offer and can change their mind without facing any legal repercussions. The contract becomes binding only when the offer has been accepted by the offeree. This principle is grounded in contract law, which states that an offer remains open for acceptance until it is either accepted, rejected, or withdrawn.

The idea behind this is that an offer is essentially an invitation for engagement, and until the other party accepts, the original party can choose not to proceed, ensuring that they are not legally bound to an agreement they no longer wish to pursue. In contrast, once acceptance occurs, a contract is formed, and withdrawing it without proper ground could lead to liability.