View synonyms for fink

fink

[ fingk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a strikebreaker.
a labor spy.
an informer; stool pigeon.
a contemptible or thoroughly unattractive person.

verb (used without object)

to inform to the police; squeal.
to act as a strikebreaker; scab.

verb phrase

1. to withdraw from or refuse to support a project, activity, scheme, etc.; renege:
  He said he'd lend me his motorcycle, but he finked out.
2. to become untrustworthy.

fink

/ fɪŋk /

noun

a strikebreaker; blackleg
an informer, such as one working for the police; spy
an unpleasant, disappointing, or contemptible person

verb

introften foll byon to inform (on someone), as to the police

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fink¹

1900–05, Americanism; compared with German Fink literally, finch, colloquial epithet for an undesirable person, especially an untidy or loose-living one (often in compounds, as Duckfink sycophant, Schmierfink untidy writer); but the transmission of this word to English and the range of meanings of the English word have not been clarified fully

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fink¹

C20: of uncertain origin

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