cop-outs
Ways of ducking
Cop-outs is the plural of cop-out, an evasion of responsibility or commitment.
A cop-out is an excuse or action that avoids facing something difficult: His apology was just a bunch of cop-outs.
The term implies cowardice or laziness—taking the easy way out rather than doing what's right or expected.
Explanations offered for faults
- dodgesEvades with quick movement
- evasionsDeliberate avoidances of directness
- escapesActs of fleeing
- duckingBending to avoid impact
sidestepping · shirking · weaseling · bailing · deflecting · hedging · skirting · passing the buck
Attributing fault to others
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
justification · minimizing · downplaying · spinning · whitewashing · covering up · stonewalling · obfuscation
Quicker methods or paths
- half-measuresIncomplete, inadequate actions
- quick fixesTemporary solutions, not thorough
- band-aidsAdhesive wound covers
- workaroundsIndirect solutions to problems
compromises · fudges · loopholes · technicalities · fine print · disclaimers · caveats · qualifications
excuses
Explanations offered for faults
ducking · sidestepping · shirking · weaseling · bailing · deflecting · hedging · skirting · passing the buck · running away
blame-shifting
Attributing fault to others
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- denialRefusal to accept reality
rationalization · justification · minimizing · downplaying · spinning · whitewashing · covering up · stonewalling · obfuscation · misdirection
shortcuts
Quicker methods or paths
- half-measuresIncomplete, inadequate actions
- quick fixesTemporary solutions, not thorough
- band-aidsAdhesive wound covers
workarounds · compromises · fudges · loopholes · technicalities · fine print · disclaimers · caveats · qualifications · equivocations
cop-outscommitments
Promises requiring follow-through
follow-throughs · fulfillments · stepping up · accountabilities · dedications
cop-outsconfrontations
Direct hostile encounters
bold moves · taking the bull by the horns · rising to the occasion · stand-ups · facing the music
cop-out, cop, cops, copped, copping, out, outs, outed, outing