punk out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To give up or cravenly abandon something difficult.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
When the going got tough, he punked out.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To treat as a punk (either as a worthless person or the bottom in a male-male relationship, especially a nonconsenting prison relationship).
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “punk out” mean?
To give up or cravenly abandon something difficult.
Is “punk out” formal or informal?
punk out is generally slang.