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In some senses, cop-out is marked as slang. Watch for register when choosing this word.
cop-out
noun 3
Collocations
1ADJ.
cheap, moral
Definitions
noun
1
Avoidance or inadequate performance of a task or duty; the action of copping out.
His disappearance on the day of the audition was just a cop-out.
“It’s interesting what he stayed away from,” said Cameron. “Look, I love the film-making, but I did feel that it was a bit of a moral cop-out.”
2
An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.
It was a cop-out to say he couldn't sign the petition because he sprained his wrist.
3
A person who cops out.
He's always a cop-out when there's hard work to be done.
Even when they are talking one-on-one, we aren't allowed to see behind the posturing and emblematic language. The major exception to this is Da Mayor […] who is both scorned and respected, seen as both a cop-out and a hero.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
401
His disappearance on the day of the audition was just a cop-out.
Wiktionary02
“It’s interesting what he stayed away from,” said Cameron. “Look, I love the film-making, but I did feel that it was a bit of a moral cop-out.”
Wiktionary03
It was a cop-out to say he couldn't sign the petition because he sprained his wrist.
Wiktionary04
That's a cheap cop-out.
Tatoeba · #1494820Usage Notes
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