flunk
pronunciation
How to pronounce flunk in British English:
UK [flʌŋk]
How to pronounce flunk in American English:
US [flʌŋk]
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- Verb:
- fail to get a passing grade
Word Origin
- flunk (v.)
- 1823, American English college slang, original meaning "to back out, give up, fail," of obscure origin, traditionally said to be an alteration of British university slang funk "to be frightened, shrink from" (see funk (n.1)). Meaning "cause to fail, give a failing mark to" is from 1843. Related: Flunked; flunking.
Example
- 1. Italy , unlike mr berlusconi , cannot flunk its european exam .
- 2. About 5 percent of students in the language program flunk out before their freshman year .
- 3. The government is now making tests compulsory for existing teachers . Those who flunk them will be offered a year 's training and then be required to resit them .
- 4. But let 's face it , life is filled with all kinds of tests - some you ace and some you flunk - so at some point you have to get used to it .
- 5. So don 't flunk out ; you 've got too much invested in us , and we have too much invested in you .