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Cop out

verb, slang

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner. idiomatic

    "Faced with the prospect of cooking for himself, his first thought was to cop out and order a pizza."

  2. 2
    choose not to do something, as out of fear of failing wordnet
  3. 3
    To plead guilty and ask for mercy.
  4. 4
    To blame; to assign blame to; to get into trouble. idiomatic, slang

    "His lawyer copped him out on just one felony charge."

  5. 5
    To remove from a situation or crowd, such as for arrest or punishment. US, dated, idiomatic

    "Somebody should have copped him out last night."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    To leave a gang.

    "I can't believe you copped out on us."

  2. 7
    To abandon, let down or betray (someone). idiomatic, slang

    "She thought I'd copped out on her."

  3. 8
    To win (someone) over; to get on (someone's) good side. idiomatic, slang, transitive

Etymology

Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”.

See also for "cop out"

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