cop-out

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Avoidance or inadequate performance of a task or duty

   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. 2

   An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty

   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. 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.

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