balk
Translation
to balk, to hesitate, to recoil
Examples
He balked at the high price.
He balked at the high price.
The horse balked at the fence.
The horse balked at the fence.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to balk at ((sth.)) to hesitate or be unwilling to accept (sth.) He balked at the high price.
Similar Words
Synonyms: hesitate, recoil, refuse
Etymology
From Old English 'balca' (beam, ridge), from the idea of a horse stopping at an obstacle.
Memory Tips
Imagine a bulky object blocking your path, making you balk.