fink

[ fingk ]
/ fɪŋk /
Slang.

noun

verb (used without object)

to inform to the police; squeal.
to act as a strikebreaker; scab.

Verb Phrases

fink out,
  1. to withdraw from or refuse to support a project, activity, scheme, etc.; renege: He said he'd lend me his motorcycle, but he finked out.
  2. to become untrustworthy.

Origin of fink

1900–05, Americanism; compared with German Fink literally, finch, colloquial epithet for an undesirable person, especially an untidy or loose-living one (often in compounds, as Duckfink sycophant, Schmierfink untidy writer); but the transmission of this word to English and the range of meanings of the English word have not been clarified fully

British Dictionary definitions for fink out (1 of 2)

fink out

verb

(intr, adverb) slang, mainly US to fail to carry something out or through; give up

British Dictionary definitions for fink out (2 of 2)

fink
/ (fɪŋk) slang, mainly US and Canadian /

noun

a strikebreaker; blackleg
an informer, such as one working for the police; spy
an unpleasant, disappointing, or contemptible person

verb

(intr often foll by on) to inform (on someone), as to the police

Word Origin for fink

C20: of uncertain origin