cop-out

[ kop-out ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an act or instance of copping out; reneging; evasion:

   The governor's platform was a cop-out.

2. a person who cops out:

   Everyone helped as they had promised, except for one cop-out.

cop out

verb

1. intr, adverb to fail to assume responsibility or to commit oneself

noun

1. an instance of avoiding responsibility or commitment
2. a person who acts in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of cop-out¹

First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase cop out

Word History and Origins

Origin of cop-out¹

C20: probably from cop ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Back out of a responsibility or commitment; also, take the easy way out. For example, Don't count on him; he's been known to fake illness and cop out , or She'll cop out and let her assistant do all the work . These meanings are derived from the underworld slang use of cop out for backing down or surrendering. [Late 1950s]