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
Definition for copout (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 copout (1 of 4)
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 copout (2 of 4)
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 copout (3 of 4)
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 copout (4 of 4)
COP
abbreviation for (in New Zealand)
Certificate of Proficiency: a pass in a university subject