How do you use "Cop out" in a sentence?

Don't cop out—take responsibility. That excuse is such a cop-out. He copped out at the last minute.

Cop out

Q: What does "Cop out" mean?

To avoid responsibility or take the easy way out. Originally meant to plead guilty to a lesser charge, now means any evasion of responsibility or commitment.

Slang Term AmericanBritish ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: To avoid responsibility or take the easy way out.

逃避责任或走捷径。

Evitar la responsabilidad o tomar el camino fácil.

責任を避ける、または楽な道を選ぶ。

책임을 회피하거나 쉬운 길을 택하다.

Originally meant to plead guilty to a lesser charge, now means any evasion of responsibility or commitment.

最初指认罪从轻判罚，现在指任何逃避责任或承诺的行为。

Originalmente significaba declararse culpable de un cargo menor, ahora significa cualquier evasión de responsabilidad o compromiso.

元々はより軽い罪で有罪を認めることを意味していたが、今は責任や約束からの逃避全般を指す。

원래는 경미한 혐의에 대해 유죄를 인정하는 것을 뜻했으나, 현재는 모든 종류의 책임이나 의무 회피를 의미한다.

Literal meaning: Escape from obligation

Examples

Don't cop out—take responsibility.
别逃避——承担责任
No te escaquees, asume la responsabilidad
逃げるな、責任を取れ
도망치지 마—책임을 져라.
That excuse is such a cop-out.
那个借口就是逃避
Esa excusa es puro escaqueo
その言い訳は逃げだ
그 변명은 완전히 비겁한 짓이다.
He copped out at the last minute.
他在最后一刻逃避了
Se escaqueó en el último momento
彼は土壇場で逃げた
그는 마지막 순간에 발을 뺐다.

Pronunciation

/kɒp aʊt/

Usage Guide

Context: avoidance, responsibility, excuses

Tone: critical, accusatory

✓ Do Say

That's a cop-out.
那是逃避
Eso es escaquearse
それは逃げだ
그건 비겁한 짓이다.
Don't cop out.
别逃避
No te escaquees
逃げるな
도망치지 마라.
He copped out.
他逃避了
Se escaqueó
彼は逃げた
그는 발을 뺐다.

✗ Don't Say

Avoiding responsibility
Avoiding responsibility（逃避责任）
Avoiding responsibility（Evitando responsabilidad）
Avoiding responsibility（責任を避ける）
책임 회피
Making excuses
Making excuses（找借口）
Making excuses（Poniendo excusas）
Making excuses（言い訳する）
변명하기

Common Mistakes

Now used beyond legal contexts
Can be noun or verb

Origin & History

From 'cop a plea' meaning to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid worse punishment.

Etymology: American legal slang, mid 20th century

First recorded: 1940s-50s

Cultural Context

Era: Mid 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Everyday speech; Arguments about responsibility

Regional notes: American origin but now used in British English too.

Variations

Cop outCop-outCopped outCopping out