cop-out
[ kop-out ]
/ ˈkɒpˌaʊt /
noun Informal.
an act or instance of copping out; reneging; evasion: The governor's platform was a cop-out.
a person who cops out: Everyone helped as they had promised, except for one cop-out.
Origin of cop-out
First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase
cop out
Words nearby cop-out
Definition for cop out (2 of 2)
cop
1
[ kop ]
/ kɒp /
verb (used with object), copped, cop·ping. Informal.
to catch; nab.
to steal; filch.
to buy (narcotics).
Verb Phrases
cop out,
- to avoid one's responsibility, the fulfillment of a promise, etc.; renege; back out (often followed by on or of): He never copped out on a friend in need. You agreed to go, and you can't cop out now.
- cop a plea.
Origin of cop
1
1695–1705; compare
cap (obsolete) to arrest, Scots
cap to seize ≪ dialectal Old French
caper to take, ultimately < Latin
capere
British Dictionary definitions for cop out (1 of 5)
cop out
/ slang /
verb
(intr, adverb)
to fail to assume responsibility or to commit oneself
noun cop-out
an instance of avoiding responsibility or commitment
a person who acts in this way
Word Origin for cop out
C20: probably from
cop
1
British Dictionary definitions for cop out (2 of 5)
cop
1
/ (kɒp) slang /
noun
verb cops, copping or copped (tr)
Word Origin for cop
C18: (vb) perhaps from obsolete
cap to arrest, from Old French
caper to seize; sense 1, back formation from
copper ²
British Dictionary definitions for cop out (3 of 5)
cop
2
/ (kɒp) /
noun
a conical roll of thread wound on a spindle
mainly dialect
the top or crest, as of a hill
Word Origin for cop
Old English
cop, copp top, summit, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Old English
copp
cup
British Dictionary definitions for cop out (4 of 5)
cop
3
/ (kɒp) /
noun
British slang (usually used with a negative)
worth or value
that work is not much cop
Word Origin for cop
C19: n use of
cop
1 (in the sense: to catch, hence something caught, something of value)
British Dictionary definitions for cop out (5 of 5)
COP
abbreviation for (in New Zealand)
Certificate of Proficiency: a pass in a university subject
Idioms and Phrases with cop out
cop out
Back out of a responsibility or commitment; also, take the easy way out. For example, Don't count on him; he's been known to fake illness and cop out, or She'll cop out and let her assistant do all the work. These meanings are derived from the underworld slang use of cop out for backing down or surrendering. [Late 1950s]