cop out

Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”.[1]

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

cop out (third-person singular simple present cops out, present participle copping out, simple past and past participle copped out)

1. (idiomatic) To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.

   Faced with the prospect of cooking for himself, his first thought was to cop out and order a pizza.

   • 2000, Bill Oddie, Gripping Yarns, page 67:

     There was no bird fair at Druridge so I didn't have to feel guilty about copping out of it.

2. To plead guilty and ask for mercy.
3. (idiomatic, slang) To blame; to assign blame to; to get into trouble.

   His lawyer copped him out on just one felony charge.

4. (idiomatic, dated, US) To remove from a situation or crowd, such as for arrest or punishment.

   Somebody should have copped him out last night.

• weasel out