weasel

[ wee-zuh l ]
/ ˈwi zəl /

noun, plural wea·sels, (especially collectively) wea·sel.

verb (used without object)

Origin of weasel

before 900; 1920–25 for def 6; Middle English wesele, Old English wesle, weosule; cognate with Old High German wisula, German Wiesel

British Dictionary definitions for weasel out (1 of 2)

weasel out

verb -sels, -selling or -selled or US -seling or -seled (intr, adverb) informal

to go back on a commitment
to evade a responsibility, esp in a despicable manner

British Dictionary definitions for weasel out (2 of 2)

weasel
/ (ˈwiːzəl) /

noun plural -sels or -sel

any of various small predatory musteline mammals of the genus Mustela and related genera, esp M. nivalis (European weasel), having reddish-brown fur, an elongated body and neck, and short legs
informal a sly or treacherous person
mainly US a motor vehicle for use in snow, esp one with caterpillar tracks

Derived forms of weasel

weaselly, adjective

Word Origin for weasel

Old English weosule, wesle; related to Old Norse visla, Old High German wisula, Middle Dutch wesel

Idioms and Phrases with weasel out

weasel out

Back out of a situation or commitment, especially in a sneaky way. For example, I'd love to weasel out of serving on the board. This expression alludes to the stealthy hunting and nesting habits of the weasel, a small, slender-bodied predator. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]