cop-out

Noun

cop-out (plural cop-outs)

1. (slang) 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.
   • In the book, his conclusion is simple: capitalism is kaput, celebrity charity won’t plug holes, revolution is the only solution. Yet it also feels like a bit of a cop-out: he insists all this can be achieved through love, peace and understanding.2014 October 11, Simon Hattenstone, “Russell Brand: ‘I want to address the alienation and despair’”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 01 Jul 2022
2. (slang) 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. (slang) 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.1989 August 12, Kate Rushin, “Is Better Than Hollywood Good Enough?”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 5, page 8