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punk out

C1 slang inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To be too scared to do something you said you would do.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic slang

To refuse to do something out of fear or cowardice, especially after agreeing to do it.

"He said he'd do the bungee jump, but he punked out at the last second."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily American slang. Carries a strong tone of contempt or disappointment. Used among peers to criticise someone for cowardice. Common in youth culture and informal speech, less frequent in general usage.

Commonly used with

challenge fight dare promise bet

Forms

Base
punk out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
punks out
he/she/it
Past simple
punked out
yesterday
Past participle
punked out
have + pp
-ing form
punking out
continuous

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