Meaning of the word "cop out" in English

What does "cop out" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

cop out

US /ˈkɑːp aʊt/
UK /ˈkɒp aʊt/

Phrasal Verb

to avoid doing something that you should do, often by finding an excuse

Example:
He tried to cop out of his responsibilities by pretending to be sick.
Don't cop out now, we need your help to finish this project.

Noun

an act of avoiding a responsibility or commitment

Example:
His excuse was a complete cop out.
That ending to the story felt like a real cop out.