cop-out
cop-out — noun
1. An excuse or reason that allows a person to avoid a responsibility or obligation
An excuse or reason that allows a person to avoid a responsibility or obligation they should face, especially when the excuse seems weak or dishonest.
The meeting was off, Tuan said — but that was just a cop-out.
used as a noun complement after 'just a'
Calling yourself too old for new software is a cop-out — you will not try.
A claim about no funding is a cop-out for a lack of real commitment.
Yara told her boss she quit to be with family, but that was a cop-out.
Blaming the traffic for being late every day becomes a tired cop-out after a while.
- commitment
a cop-out is the opposite of keeping a commitment
文法句型
be a cop-out
just a cop-out
用法筆記
Often used with 'just a' or 'nothing but a' to dismiss an excuse as weak or dishonest. Common in informal criticism of someone's behaviour.
常見錯誤
cop-out — verb
- cop-outpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cop-outs3rd person singular
- cop-outing-ing form
- cop-outedpast simple
1. To decide not to do something you had agreed to do, especially because it sudden
To decide not to do something you had agreed to do, especially because it suddenly seems difficult, unpleasant, or frightening.
We promised to help with the festival, but Mateo copped out last minute.
cop out + at the last minute (timing)
The team copped out of the race when they saw the other players were stronger.
cop out + of + noun phrase (event/commitment)
Hiro copped out of organizing the party, saying he had too much homework.
Lisa told her landlord she would fix the leak, but then she copped out.
You cannot cop out now — we are counting on you to give the speech.
- follow through
complete what you promised to do
文法句型
cop out + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Intransitive; the commitment being avoided is introduced by 'of' ('cop out of a promise'). Cannot take a direct object. Most often used for one-off decisions to abandon a plan.
常見錯誤
2. To keep avoiding the things you are supposed to do, especially duties or promise
To keep avoiding the things you are supposed to do, especially duties or promises, because you lack the courage or effort to deal with them.
Eshe keeps copping out on her team duties, and everyone is getting frustrated.
cop out + on + [responsibility/obligation]
Keisha kept copping out on her volunteer shifts until the coordinator asked her to step down.
habitual: kept copping out on + [responsibility]
Wei never finishes what he starts — he always cops out when things get hard.
Instead of copping out on your promises, try to see them through.
The mayor was accused of copping out on a promise to improve public transport.
- shirk
more formal, similar meaning
- duck out of
similar register, slightly less critical
文法句型
cop out + on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a repeated pattern of avoidance rather than a single decision. The obligation being avoided is introduced by 'on' ('cop out on responsibilities'). Often used in continuous tenses ('keeps copping out').