flake out

USAGE SUMMARY

"flake out" is a commonly-used and acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to suggest that someone has abandoned an activity or task they agreed to do. For example: "I promised to help organize the company picnic but I flaked out at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

You can't just flake out and not show up".

The New York Times - Tech

The weeks of planning had exhausted us both; all we wanted to do was flake out on a beach.

The New York Times - Travel

And Arsenal will be Arsenal, with their usual cliffhangers: Will they flake out when it's time to step up? (Yes).

The New Yorker

OK, it has been a tough couple of weeks, and I decided to flake out by going to see Pacific Rim in 3D.

The New York Times

Not only do you have a host of admirers hanging on your moves (and the boss watching), you'd best count on someone on whom you're relying to flake out over the next two weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When we text, I don't have to see your face or hear your voice when I flake out on plans 30 minutes before I'm supposed to show up; we can be our worst and most thoughtless selves with a minimum of fallout.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The day that it was all set to go down included three immediate flake outs (I won't name names, but you can email me if you want to know who the yellow-bellied VICE staffers are) and about 57 beers a piece.

Vice

"Chilled, high-quality lard immediately flakes out and distributes itself perfectly" when cut with flour.

The New York Times - Food

And then I flaked out at Pub 4, and they had to carry me back to my hotel.

The New York Times

She's supposed to be walking out on her girlfriend and their grubby flat; instead 25-year-old musician Liza (Kat Redstone) flakes out and falls asleep.

The Guardian - Film

We didn't switch off the whole time, someone would be DJ-ing while someone else was flaked out on the floor.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flake out" when you want to describe someone unexpectedly failing to follow through with a commitment or plan. For example, instead of saying "He didn't come to the meeting", you can say "He flaked out on the meeting" to convey a sense of unreliability.

Common error

While "flake out" is acceptable in informal contexts, avoid it in formal writing. Use more professional alternatives like "renege", "default", or "fail to attend" in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flake out" functions as an intransitive phrasal verb. It describes an action performed by an individual, indicating a failure to follow through or a sudden withdrawal from a commitment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common expression in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flake out" is an informal phrasal verb that means to fail to keep a commitment or to withdraw from a plan, often due to exhaustion or lack of motivation. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a commonly-used expression in written English. While suitable for casual conversations and informal writing, it's best to avoid "flake out" in professional or academic settings, opting for more formal alternatives such as "fail to attend" or "renege on". Common usage patterns include news and media, as well as wiki content. Keep in mind that while understandable, using more precise language will ensure clarity in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bail on

Indicates a sudden abandonment of plans or commitments, similar to "flake out" but often implies a more conscious decision.

back out

Suggests withdrawing from a prior agreement or promise, highlighting the broken commitment aspect of "flake out".

no-show

Focuses on the act of not appearing for a scheduled event or appointment, emphasizing the absence.

fall through

Describes a plan or arrangement that fails to materialize, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

chicken out

Implies a loss of nerve or courage, leading to the abandonment of a plan, often with a connotation of fear or anxiety.

drop the ball

Means to fail to do something properly, highlighting negligence. It relates to "flake out" when the lack of follow-through leads to failure.

give up

Suggests stopping an activity before its conclusion, often due to discouragement or difficulty.

bow out

Means to withdraw formally or respectfully, often from a competition or commitment.

cop out

Suggests avoiding responsibility or commitment, frequently with a negative connotation of cowardice or laziness.

take a rain check

Implies postponing an engagement, with the intention of rescheduling it later, similar to "flake out" with a polite excuse.

FAQs

What does it mean to "flake out"?

To "flake out" means to fail to keep a commitment, to abandon a plan at the last minute, or to simply become too tired or unmotivated to participate in something.

How can I use "flake out" in a sentence?

You can use "flake out" in sentences like: "He said he'd help me move, but he might "bail on" me at the last minute", or "I was so exhausted that I had to "cop out" of the party".

What's a more formal way to say "flake out"?

In formal situations, you can use phrases like "fail to attend", "renege on", or "withdraw from" instead of "flake out".

When is it appropriate to use "flake out"?

"Flake out" is suitable in casual conversations and informal writing. Avoid using it in professional or academic contexts where a more formal tone is expected.