Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small carnivorous mammal: A weasel is a small, slender mammal with short legs, an elongated body and neck, and brown fur that often turns white in winter. It belongs to the genus Mustela and is known for its agility and predatory nature.
   • A deceitful or untrustworthy person: Informally, a weasel is a person who behaves in a sneaky, treacherous, or evasive manner, often avoiding responsibility or being dishonest.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Animal):
  • The weasel darted into the underbrush, chasing a mouse.
  • Weasels are known for their ability to hunt prey much larger than themselves.
• Noun (Person):
  • Don't trust him; he's a weasel who will say anything to get out of trouble.
  • That political weasel avoided answering the direct question.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To weasel out (of something)": This is the primary phrasal verb. It means to avoid a responsibility, duty, or commitment in a sneaky or dishonest way.
  • He tried to weasel out of his promise to help us move.
  • She always finds a way to weasel out of paying her share.

Variants and Related Words

• Weaselly (adjective): Having the characteristics of a weasel; sneaky or evasive.
  • He gave a weaselly answer that satisfied no one.
• Weasel word (noun, compound phrase): A word or phrase that is intentionally ambiguous, misleading, or used to evade a direct or forthright statement. (Note: This is a related compound term, not the target word itself).
  • The contract was full of weasel words that weakened its guarantees.

Synonyms

• For the animal: stoat, ermine (specifically for a weasel in its white winter coat), ferret (a related animal).
• For a deceitful person: sneak, snake, scoundrel, trickster, shirker.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Weasel out (of): As defined in "Advanced Usage," this is the main phrasal construction involving the verb form derived from the noun.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Pop goes the weasel: This is the title of a traditional nursery rhyme and song. The phrase "pop goes the weasel" itself does not have a clear, single meaning but is often associated with the rhyme's cyclical narrative of pawning ("weasel" may be slang for a tool) and release.

Noun

1. small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck
2. a person who is regarded as treacherous or sneaky