Balking

When the gentleman who guided me through the bush left me on the side of a pali, I discovered that Kahele, though strong, gentle, and sure-footed, possesses the odious fault known as balking, and expressed his aversion to ascend the other side in a most unmistakable manner. ❋ Isabella Lucy (2004)

Now, some of his foreign policies are still idiocy -- such as balking at distributing condoms, or the global gag rule on abortion -- but at least Bush did some things that were helpful, and he spent a lot of money on it. ❋ Unknown (2010)

ROBERTS: And, of course, as we heard earlier in the program, China really kind of balking on those really tough sanctions that it might take to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program. ❋ Unknown (2006)

Jibbing, or "balking" as the Americans term it, is a detestable vice. ❋ Alice M. Hayes (1873)

Recent headlines and letters have unfairly accused Assemblywoman Lupardo of "balking" at a reduction in pay.

Other countries such as China and Iran are also "balking" on the idea, using the excuses of U.S. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Meanwhile, the Washington Post Friday editorially advised a "balking" Berman, "a long time sceptic of the deal" to find a way to help move the deal forward as "it is in America's interest." ❋ Unknown (2008)

"The problem is that Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, is a hardball negotiator, and Alex McLeish is" balking "at spending big. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Mr. Reynolds of Gartner said it appears that longtime H-P customers aren't balking, but those who haven't bought from the company in the past may be inclined not to start. ❋ Ben Worthen (2011)

But ultimately inflation, coupled with consumers balking at higher prices, could pressure retailers' margins as the year progresses, the firm said. ❋ Ian Berry (2011)

After balking at the judge's orders on child support and visitation rights, Gonzales stormed out of the chambers, then burst back in to begin pummeling Scott with closed fists "without provocations," the police report says. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Tea Party activists and loyalists have recently criticized the National Tea Party Convention set to take place in Nashville, TN next month, balking at the expensive ticket prices and the fact that the “scammy” event is for-profit. ❋ Unknown (2010)

While industry has balking at the additional costs, others argue that too many of the credits are given away. ❋ Tina Gerhardt (2011)

Not only are Republican legislators balking at actually solving the problem with tax extensions -- pretending instead that the economy, which they insisted was in the tank, will easily bail out the situation with new revenues -- Democrats in the Assembly are pursuing their opposite fantasy: More money means that already enacted cuts can be reversed. ❋ William Bradley (2011)

However, the proposed treatment of that potential claim has the FDIC balking at the plan. ❋ Eric Morath (2011)