funk out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To decide not to do something because you are too scared or nervous.
Literal meaning: To exit (out of) a state of fear or depression — though paradoxically the result is surrender to that fear.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To lose courage and withdraw from a challenge or commitment at the last moment.
"He was going to ask her out, but he funked out at the last second and walked straight past her."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Uses the noun 'funk' in the sense of a state of fear or depression (e.g. 'in a funk', 'blue funk'). This sense of 'funk' is older British English. The phrasal verb is uncommon and somewhat dated; 'chicken out' or 'wimp out' are the natural modern replacements.
Commonly used with
at the last moment completely before the jump from the challenge at the last minute
Forms
Base
funk out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
funks out
he/she/it
Past simple
funked out
yesterday
Past participle
funked out
have + pp
-ing form
funking out
continuous
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Synonyms
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