balk

US /bɑːlk/
UK /bɑːlk/
"balk" picture
1.

hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking

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Many people would balk at the idea of paying for water.
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The horse balked at the jump.
:
hesitateflinchshrinkrecoildemur
2.

(in baseball) an illegal motion by a pitcher that results in a penalty, typically advancing any runners on base

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The pitcher committed a balk, and the runner on first advanced to second.
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It was a clear balk, but the umpire missed it.
1.

a sudden unwillingness to continue with a task or plan

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He had a sudden balk at the last minute.
:
hesitationreluctanceunwillingnessdemurral