bail out on
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to suddenly stop helping someone or leave a situation when you are needed.
phrasal verb. to abandon a person, commitment, or responsibility, particularly at a critical moment or when the situation becomes difficult.
He promised to help me move, but he bailed out on me.
The lead singer bailed out on the band just two days before their first big concert.
Investors began to bail out on the startup once they realized the product would not meet its ambitious launch deadline.
Usually followed by a person or a specific project.
contrast with the financial 'bail out' (to rescue); here, the addition of 'on' shifts the meaning from 'saving someone' to 'abandoning someone'.
He bailed out me.He bailed out on me.the preposition 'on' is necessary to indicate the person who is being let down or abandoned.
Last updated April 24, 2026