weasel out

verb

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

She had read the appeal and says she felt it contained the lies of a killer trying to weasel out of full responsibility.

From The Daily Beast

The ambitious young man had slunk like a weasel out of this civil war into which he had heedlessly thrown himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Bevis looked at him a little while, and then put his foot on the spring and pressed it down and took the weasel out.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally I went to the house for the gun, and when I returned found the weasel out chasing the hen again.

From Project Gutenberg

Mother used to say that all the worry in the world would never keep a weasel out of the hen-house.

From Project Gutenberg

The Conductor immediately threw the Weasel out of the window, as ordered, and the Hatter resumed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• cancel
• dismantle
• invalidate
• lift
• overturn
• quash
• renege
• repeal
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• set aside
• void