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

We also see this attitude with Trump advisor Jason Miller, whose response to accidentally impregnating his mistress was not to express regret for his role in the situation, but to foist all the blame on her and attempt to weasel out of child support.

From Salon

I had planned everything I would say so that he couldn’t weasel out of it.

From Literature

The world’s wealthiest person originally struck the deal in the spring of 2022, realized within a few weeks that he had committed a grievous mistake, and then spent the summer and early fall trying to weasel out of the $44 billion acquisition.

From Slate

Should McCarthy try to weasel out of his pledge, though, he’s unlikely to find a sympathetic audience in Donald Trump.

From Slate

Of all the recent cases being built against Trump, this one seems to be the most solid and will be difficult for him to weasel out of.

From Salon

Related Words

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