Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large edible marine crustacean: A type of seafood, similar to a lobster but with a spiny shell and without large claws.
   • A small freshwater crustacean: A small animal that lives in rivers and streams, resembling a small lobster.
   • Tiny lobster-like crustaceans: Very small shellfish, often cooked by boiling for a short time.

2. Verb:

   • To retreat from a commitment: To withdraw from a promise, plan, or activity that one had previously agreed to.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • We ordered a plate of steamed crawfish at the seafood restaurant.
  • The children enjoyed catching crawfish in the creek.
• Verb:
  • After promising to help, he decided to crawfish at the last minute.
  • They tried to crawfish out of the contract when they saw the costs.

Advanced Usage

• "to crawfish out of (something)": To withdraw from an agreement or situation in a way that seems cowardly or dishonest.
  • He always finds an excuse to crawfish out of his responsibilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Crayfish: (noun) Another common spelling for the freshwater crustacean. The words "crawfish" and "crayfish" are often used interchangeably.
• Crawdad: (noun, informal) Another term, especially in some regions of the United States, for a freshwater crayfish/crawfish.

Synonyms

• Noun: Crayfish, crawdad, spiny lobster (for the marine type).
• Verb: Back out, retreat, withdraw, renege, pull out.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Crawfish out: To retreat or withdraw from a previous position or promise.
  • It's not honorable to crawfish out of a deal after shaking hands on it.

Related Idioms

• To crawfish on someone: To fail to support someone as promised; to let someone down by withdrawing.
  • I thought I could count on him, but he crawfished on me when I needed help the most.

Noun

1. large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters
2. small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster
3. tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly

Verb

1. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
   • We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
   • He backed out of his earlier promise
   • The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns