cop out

Meaning

1. (idiomatic) To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
2. To plead guilty and ask for mercy.
3. (idiomatic, slang) To blame; to assign blame to; to get into trouble.
4. (US, dated, idiomatic) To remove from a situation or crowd, such as for arrest or punishment.
5. To leave a gang.
6. (idiomatic, slang) To abandon, let down or betray (someone).
7. (idiomatic, slang, transitive) To win (someone) over; to get on (someone's) good side.

Synonyms

opt out

chicken out

go

shape up

skulk

opt in

Translations

λουφάρω

se défiler

se désengager

cair fora

Etymology

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