flunk

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Of a student, to fail a class; to not pass.

   He flunked math, again.

2. 2
   verb

   Of a teacher, to deny a student a passing grade.

   Unsatisfied with Fred's progress, the teacher flunked him.

3. 3
   noun

   failure to reach a minimum required performance

4. 4
   verb

   fail to get a passing grade

5. 5
   verb

   To fail any challenge

6. 6
   verb

   To shirk (a task or duty).

7. 7
   verb

   To back out through fear. (Commonly in the phrase 'flunk it', the 'it' referring to a specific task avoided; sometimes without specific reference, describing a person's attitude to life in general.)

Etymology

Alteration of funk, or perhaps a blend of flinch + funk.