bail
verbInformal
A American English slang term. Browse all American slang.
What it means
To leave abruptly, or to back out of a commitment. 'She bailed on dinner.'
In use
I'm going to bail, I've got an early start.
Two people bailed at the last minute.
Where it comes from
From bailing out of an aircraft. The commitment sense came later and is now the more frequent one.
Other forms
- Similar terms:
- dip, flake