weasel out

USAGE SUMMARY

'weasel out' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It means to cleverly avoid an unpleasant or difficult situation. For example: After being caught copying textbooks, the student tried to weasel out of getting detention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Thankfully, information law doesn't allow the government to weasel out so easily.

The Guardian

These aren't anomalies; this is how the system works: you get away with what you can and try to weasel out when you get caught".

The New York Times

We have an immoral tendency to weasel out when we feel that the bill will be footed by distant strangers or future generations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whatever weird business practices I've been able to weasel out for myself, I'm still standing, unlike 90 percent of the other people that I've seen when I started out".

The New York Times - Arts

There's a temptation to read Riddley Walker as, precisely, a riddle – to think that by matching every element to a literal antecedent, you might be able to weasel out the truth of the book.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you want to say sorry, don't allow yourself to equivocate or "weasel out" of your apology.

WikiHow

And don't let him weasel out.

The New York Times

Governor Haley, to her credit, didn't try to weasel out.

The New Yorker

To be sure, he'll try to weasel out of responsibility.

The New Yorker

While Tom talked, Gold Dust set to work to claw the weasel out of the woodpile.

The New Yorker

This has made it easier for husbands to weasel out of paying enough support.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weasel out" when you want to describe someone's attempt to avoid a commitment or responsibility through cunning or deceit.

Common error

Don't use "weasel out" if someone is simply unable to fulfill a commitment. Reserve it for situations where deception or manipulation is involved in avoiding the obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "weasel out" functions as an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. It describes the action of avoiding a responsibility or commitment through cunning or deceit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weasel out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to cleverly avoid an unpleasant or difficult situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's particularly frequent in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. While grammatically sound, it carries a nuance of disapproval, implying cunning or deception in the avoidance. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "evade responsibility". Remember to use "weasel out" when the avoidance involves more than just a simple cancellation, and instead, suggests manipulation. With high expert ratings, the phrase is valid and useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wiggle out of

Similar to "weasel out", implying clever maneuvering to avoid something.

cop out

Informal way to express failure to fulfill a commitment or responsibility.

get out of

General way of avoiding a task or commitment.

evade responsibility

Focuses on avoiding the blame or accountability associated with a task or situation.

escape obligation

Highlights the act of getting free from a binding requirement.

shirk duty

Emphasizes neglecting a moral or legal obligation.

skirt the issue

Avoids addressing a problem or question directly.

dodge the bullet

Implies narrowly escaping a negative outcome or consequence.

wriggle free

Suggests struggling or maneuvering to become free from something.

find a loophole

Suggests using a technicality to escape an obligation.

FAQs

How to use "weasel out" in a sentence?

You can say, "He tried to "weasel out" of the deal by finding a loophole in the contract", which implies he used cunning to avoid the agreement.

What can I say instead of "weasel out"?

You can use alternatives like "evade responsibility", "cop out", or "wiggle out of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "weasel out" in formal writing?

While "weasel out" is widely understood, it's somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "evade responsibility" or "avoid obligation" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "weasel out" and "get out of"?

"Get out of" is a general term for avoiding something. "Weasel out" implies a degree of cunning or manipulation in avoiding the responsibility. If someone simply cancels plans, they "get out of" them; if they fabricate an elaborate excuse, they try to "weasel out".