Are you copping out of this job?
•No, I'm not copping out!
2. Sl. to break one's promise about doing something. •You said you would and now you are copping out of it.
•I'm not copping out. I just can't find the time.
3. Sl. to plead guilty (to a lesser charge). •Frank copped out and got off with a night in the cooler.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
cop out (of something) — ˌcop ˈout (of sth) derived (informal) to avoid or stop doing sth that you should do because you are afraid, lazy, etc • You re not going to cop out at the last minute, are you? related noun ↑cop out Main entry: ↑cop … Useful english dictionary
Cop Out (2010 film) — Cop Out Official poster Directed by Kevin Smith Produced by Marc E. Platt Polly Johnsen Michael Tadross … Wikipedia
cop-out — cop outs N COUNT: usu sing (disapproval) If you refer to something as a cop out, you think that it is a way for someone to avoid doing something that they should do. [INFORMAL] Wallowing in guilt about the past is a cop out that prevents you from … English dictionary
cop-out — n informal something you do or say in order to avoid doing or accepting something ▪ There is plenty to do on your own doorstep; to look further is a cop out … Dictionary of contemporary English
cop-out — cop ,out noun count INFORMAL something you say or do to avoid doing what you should do: Telling him you re ill sounds like a cop out to me … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
cop out — verb choose not to do something, as out of fear of failing She copped out when she was supposed to get into the hang glider • Syn: ↑opt out • Derivationally related forms: ↑copout • Hypernyms: ↑choose, ↑prefer, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
cop-out — n excuse, dodge, evasion, fraud, pretence, pretext, alibi COLLOQ. get out, shirking, passing the buck * * * ˈ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ noun ( s) Etymology: cop out, verb (herein) 1. : an excuse for copping out … Useful english dictionary
cop out — 1. in. to plead guilty (to a lesser charge). (Underworld. See also cop a plea.) □ Frank copped out and got off with a night in the cooler. □ I decided not to cop out and got a mouthpiece instead. 2. in. to give up and quit; to chicken out (of… … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
cop-out — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms cop out : singular cop out plural cop outs informal something you say or do to avoid doing what you should do Telling him you re ill sounds like a cop out to me … English dictionary
cop out — phrasal verb [intransitive] Word forms cop out : present tense I/you/we/they cop out he/she/it cops out present participle copping out past tense copped out past participle copped out informal to avoid doing something that you should do because… … English dictionary
cop out — I Australian Slang 1. opt out of (something); give smth. up; 2. fail completely; 3. way out of a situation of embarrassment or responsibility: Her going overseas was a bit of a cop out II Canadian Slang to give up trying to do something or give… … English dialects glossary
