cop-out
/ˈkɒp.aʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːp.aʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkäp-ˌau̇t/ (ame, mw)
cop-out — 名詞
1. an excuse or easy way out that someone uses to dodge a duty, a hard choice, or a
推託藉口
拿來躲掉責任的藉口或做法
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.
Hamza 說 Leo 臨時喊頭痛只是個推託藉口，因為他跳過了小組會議。
call something a cop-out
The committee saw the budget cut as a cop-out instead of a real climate plan.
委員會認為刪減預算只是個推託藉口，不是真正的氣候方案。
see something as a cop-out
Saying "I'm too busy" felt like a cop-out when Saira had promised to help.
Saira 明明答應要幫忙，這時說「我太忙了」讓人覺得像個推託藉口。
Brian's apology sounded sincere, but blaming traffic was still a cop-out.
Brian 的道歉聽起來很真誠，但把錯怪給塞車仍然是個推託藉口。
The teacher warned that copying from the internet was a cop-out, not research.
老師警告說，從網路上抄資料只是推託藉口，不算做研究。
- 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 — 片語動詞
- 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
臨陣退縮
怕麻煩而退出答應的事
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.
Aoi 臨陣退縮，不肯帶簡報，還拜託 Noor 代她上場。
cop out of + -ing
When the road turned steep, Kemi copped out and went back to the car.
路一變陡，Kemi 就臨陣退縮，轉身回到車上。
intransitive use without stated object
The singer nearly copped out of the live interview after reading angry comments.
那位歌手看完憤怒留言後，差點在現場訪談前臨陣退縮。
Our neighbour copped out when the roof needed fixing and sold the house instead.
屋頂需要修理時，我們的鄰居卻臨陣退縮，乾脆把房子賣掉了。
Zuri promised to coach the team, then copped out two days before the match.
Zuri 明明答應要帶球隊，卻在比賽前兩天臨陣退縮。
- 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
迴避處理
不正面處理問題或責任
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.
那位部長以怪罪前一任團隊來迴避處理每一次延誤。
cop out by + -ing
Instead of answering the rent question, Christopher copped out with a joke.
Christopher 沒有回答房租問題，反而用玩笑來迴避處理。
cop out with + excuse/joke
Romi copped out on the family argument and stayed in her room all evening.
Romi 對那場家庭爭執選擇迴避處理，整個晚上都待在房裡。
The company copped out by posting a vague note instead of meeting the staff.
那家公司只是貼出一張含糊的公告來迴避處理，沒有和員工見面。
Eitan copped out when the class asked why he had broken the rules.
全班追問他為什麼犯規時，Eitan 卻迴避處理，沒有正面回答。
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.