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cop out. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cop out, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cop out in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cop out you have here. The definition of the word
cop out will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
cop out, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”.
Pronunciation
Verb
cop out (third-person singular simple present cops out, present participle copping out, simple past and past participle copped out)
- (idiomatic) To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
Faced with the prospect of cooking for himself, his first thought was to cop out and order a pizza.
2000, Bill Oddie, Gripping Yarns, page 67:There was no bird fair at Druridge so I didn't have to feel guilty about copping out of it.
- To plead guilty and ask for mercy.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
References
- ^ Lester V. Berrey with Melvin van den Bark (1942) The American Thesaurus of Slang