Definitions

cop out

 Play cop-out
noun
    The definition of a cop out is a poor excuse for not doing something.

    An example of a cop-out is when your boyfriend asks you on a date and you say you have to wash your hair.

    YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2018 by LoveToKnow Corp
    • Link/Cite
    Link to this page

    Cite this page

    MLA Style

    "cop-out." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out>.

    APA Style

    cop-out. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out


cop-out

Slang the act or an instance of copping out, as by confessing, reneging, quitting, etc.
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
  • Link/Cite
Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"cop-out." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out>.

APA Style

cop-out. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out


cop-out

also cop·out

noun

Slang
  1. A failure to fulfill a commitment or responsibility or to face a difficulty squarely.
  2. A person who fails to fulfill a commitment or responsibility.
  3. An excuse for inaction or evasion.
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
  • Link/Cite
Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"cop-out." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out>.

APA Style

cop-out. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out

Noun

(plural copouts)

  1. Alternative spelling of cop-out.
Verb

(third-person singular simple present cops out, present participle copping out, simple past and past participle copped out)

  1. (idiomatic) To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
    Faced with the prospect of cooking for himself, his first thought was to cop out and order a pizza.
Origin

Probably from cop a plea

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
  • Link/Cite
Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"cop-out." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out>.

APA Style

cop-out. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/cop-out


Synonyms

 
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Examples
    • See in a sentence
    • Example articles
  • Quotes
    • Famous Quotes
    • Quote Articles
  • Spanish
    • Spanish-English Translation
    • Reference
  • Reference
    • Education
    • ESL
    • Grammar
    • Abbreviations
    • Biography
    • Books & Literature
    • Examples
    • Foreign Languages
    • Resources
    • Slideshows
  • Word Finder
    • Word Finder
    • 4 Pics 1 Word Answers
    • Anagram Solver
    • Unscramble
    • Word Cookies Cheat
    • Word Game Dictionary
    • Word Unscrambler
    • Words With Friends Cheat
Share
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Examples
    • See in a sentence
    • Example articles
  • Quotes
    • Famous Quotes
    • Quote Articles
  • Spanish
    • Spanish-English Translation
    • Reference
  • Reference
    • Education
    • ESL
    • Grammar
    • Abbreviations
    • Biography
    • Books & Literature
    • Examples
    • Foreign Languages
    • Resources
    • Slideshows
  • Word Finder
    • Word Finder
    • 4 Pics 1 Word Answers
    • Anagram Solver
    • Unscramble
    • Word Cookies Cheat
    • Word Game Dictionary
    • Word Unscrambler
    • Words With Friends Cheat
Share
  • Home
  • Dictionary Definitions
  • cop-out

WORDS NEAR cop-out IN THE DICTIONARY


  • cop-it
  • cop-killer
  • cop-off
  • cop-on
  • cop-out
  • cop-outs
  • cop-shop
  • cop-shops
  • cop-the-bun
  • copacabana
Word Finder Scrabble® points: 10 More on Word Finder →

Follow YourDictionary

Get our free Amazon Alexa Skills!

Join YourDictionary today

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Please set a username for yourself.
People will see it as Author Name with your public flash cards.