cop-out
/ˈkɒp.aʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːp.aʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkäp-ˌau̇t/ (ame, mw)
cop-out — noun
1. an excuse or easy way out that someone uses to dodge a duty, a hard choice, or a
an excuse or easy way out that someone uses to dodge a duty, a hard choice, or an awkward problem instead of facing it properly.
Hamza called the last-minute headache a cop-out after Leo skipped the team meeting.
call something a cop-out
The committee saw the budget cut as a cop-out instead of a real climate plan.
see something as a cop-out
Saying "I'm too busy" felt like a cop-out when Saira had promised to help.
Brian's apology sounded sincere, but blaming traffic was still a cop-out.
The teacher warned that copying from the internet was a cop-out, not research.
- responsibility
accepting the duty instead of dodging it
- commitment
staying with the task or promise
文法句型
a cop-out
call something a cop-out
用法筆記
Often used to judge someone's reason or behaviour as weak, lazy, or dishonest. Common after verbs like 'call', 'see', and 'sound like'.
常見錯誤
cop-out — phrasal verb
- cop-outbase form
- cop-outs3rd person singular
- cop-outing-ing form
- cop-outedpast simple
1. to pull away from a duty, promise, or difficult task because you do not want the
to pull away from a duty, promise, or difficult task because you do not want the trouble, risk, or blame that comes with it.
Aoi copped out of leading the presentation and asked Noor to do it.
cop out of + -ing
When the road turned steep, Kemi copped out and went back to the car.
intransitive use without stated object
The singer nearly copped out of the live interview after reading angry comments.
Our neighbour copped out when the roof needed fixing and sold the house instead.
Zuri promised to coach the team, then copped out two days before the match.
- back out
neutral informal choice for withdrawing from a plan or promise
- chicken out
more strongly suggests fear or lack of courage
- bail on
very informal; often used for suddenly not showing up
- follow through
to do what you said you would do
- step up
to accept the responsibility rather than avoid it
文法句型
cop out of + noun phrase
cop out of + -ing form
cop out at the last minute
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' before the duty or plan being avoided. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on pulling out of something you were expected or had agreed to do.
常見錯誤
2. to leave a problem, choice, or hard conversation untouched instead of dealing wi
to leave a problem, choice, or hard conversation untouched instead of dealing with it honestly or directly.
The minister copped out by blaming the previous team for every delay.
cop out by + -ing
Instead of answering the rent question, Christopher copped out with a joke.
cop out with + excuse/joke
Romi copped out on the family argument and stayed in her room all evening.
The company copped out by posting a vague note instead of meeting the staff.
Eitan copped out when the class asked why he had broken the rules.
文法句型
cop out by + -ing form
cop out on + topic/problem
cop out with + excuse/joke
用法筆記
Common with 'by' before the weak action that replaces a real answer or solution. Distinguish from sense 1: no earlier promise is necessary; the focus is on dodging the issue itself.