fink
[ fingk ]
/ fɪŋk /
noun
verb (used without object)
to inform to the police; squeal.
to act as a strikebreaker; scab.
Verb Phrases
fink out,
- 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.
- 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
Words nearby fink
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