flunk

flunk
flunk (v.) 1823, Amer.Eng. college slang, original meaning "to back out, give up, fail," traditionally said to be an alteration of British university slang funk "to be frightened, shrink from" (see FUNK (Cf. funk) (1)). Related: Flunked; flunking.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • flunk — [flʌŋk] v informal especially AmE [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: Perhaps from flinch + funk to be afraid (of) (18 21 centuries); FUNK2] 1.) [I and T] to fail a test ▪ Tony flunked chemistry last semester. 2.) [T] to give someone low marks on a test so …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • flunk — [ flʌŋk ] verb INFORMAL 1. ) intransitive or transitive to fail a test or a course in school: John flunked math. 2. ) transitive to give a student a failing grade ,flunk out phrasal verb intransitive INFORMAL to have to leave a school because… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • flunk — ☆ flunk [fluŋk ] vt. [19th c. college slang < ? FUNK1 or echoic] Informal 1. to fail in (schoolwork) [to flunk a science examination] 2. to give a mark of failure to (a student) vi. Informal 1. to fail, esp. in schoolwork …   English World dictionary

  • Flunk — (fl[u^][ng]k), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flunked} (fl[u^][ng]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flunking}.] [Cf. {Funk}.] To fail, as on a lesson; to back out, as from an undertaking, through fear. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Flunk — Flunk, v. t. 1. To fail in; to fail to pass (a test, examination, or course of study). [Colloq. U.S.] [1913 Webster +PJC] 2. To shirk, as a task or duty. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Flunk — Flunk, n. A failure or backing out; specifically (College cant), a total failure in a recitation. [U.S.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flunk — flunk; flunk·er; …   English syllables

  • flunk — ► VERB informal, chiefly N. Amer. 1) fail to reach the required standard in (an examination). 2) (flunk out) fail utterly and leave or be dismissed from school or college. ORIGIN perhaps related to FUNK(Cf. ↑funk) or to US flink «be a coward» …   English terms dictionary

  • flunk|y — «FLUHNG kee», noun, plural flunk|ies. 1. a flattering, fawning person; toady. SYNONYM(S): sycophant. 2. a manservant who wears livery; footman: »His flunkies answer at the bell (Robert Burns). SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • Flunk — Allgemeine Informationen Genre(s) Downtempo Website http://www.flunkmusic.com …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • flunk — index fail (lose) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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