may balk at

Meanings

• Verb

  Refuse to proceed or act, especially because of doubt or uncertainty.

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Variants

List of all variants of may balk at that leads to same result
get back at , get back at (someone) , get back at someone

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The phrase 'may balk at' is believed to have originated from the Old English word 'balken', which means 'to obstruct' or 'to halt'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of hesitation or refusal.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The phrase 'may balk at' is sometimes used in legal contexts to refer to a party's refusal to proceed with a lawsuit or other legal action.

2. In horse racing, a horse that 'balks' at the starting gate may be disqualified from the race.

3. The phrase 'may balk at' is sometimes used in a more colloquial sense to refer to any situation where someone hesitates or refuses to do something, regardless of the reason.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. hesitation: The act of delaying or pausing before making a decision or taking action. Hesitation can be caused by fear, doubt, uncertainty, or other factors.

2. resistance: The act of opposing or refusing to accept something. Resistance can be conscious or unconscious, and can be motivated by various factors, including fear, morality, or self-interest.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The phrase 'may balk at' has been used in various literary works to depict characters who are hesitant or uncertain in their actions. For example, in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth urges her husband to 'be in this temper, but fall not in that temper' when she encourages him to commit regicide. This use of the phrase highlights the human tendency to hesitate or balk at difficult or morally ambiguous decisions.

How to Memorize "may balk at"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize the image of a horse balking at a fence or obstacle. Imagine the horse hesitating, then turning away or refusing to proceed. This mental image can help you remember the meaning of 'may balk at' as 'to hesitate or refuse to proceed'.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the phrase 'may balk at' with situations where you have hesitated or refused to take action. For example, you might remember a time when you were offered a job opportunity but felt uncertain or unsure, and 'may balk at' the idea of taking a risk. This association can help you remember the meaning of the phrase in context.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic phrase to help remember the meaning of 'may balk at'. For example, you might remember the phrase 'May balk at: May hesitate or May refuse to act'.

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