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."
inseparable
funk out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
An informal, somewhat dated expression meaning to lose one's nerve or back down from something out of fear or cowardice.
In plain English
To decide not to do something because you are too scared or nervous.
What does "funk out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To exit (out of) a state of fear or depression — though paradoxically the result is surrender to that fear.
Actually means
To decide not to do something because you are too scared or nervous.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "funk out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
at the last moment completely before the jump from the challenge at the last minute
How to conjugate "funk out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "funk out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "funk out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "funk out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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