bail (redirected from baling)

bail someone out

to help someone out of a difficult situation by providing money. When the airlines began to fail, they asked the government to bail them out.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bail out (= to use a container to remove water from a boat)

bail out (of something)

to stop doing something or being involved in something. Bad working conditions have caused many nurses to bail out of the profession. The TV show triggered a number of protests, and some of the sponsors bailed out.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bail out (= to jump out of an aircraft with a parachute)

jump bail

to fail to appear in court after giving money to obtain your release before trial. McPhee jumped bail and was never heard from again.

See also: jump