balk
UK: bɔːk | US: bɔːk
vi. to stop abruptly and refuse to proceed
vt. to hinder or thwart someone's plans
n. an obstacle or hindrance
n. (baseball) an illegal motion by the pitcher
The word "balk" traces back to Old English balca, meaning "ridge" or "beam," originally referring to a physical barrier like a raised strip of land or a beam of wood. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to signify any obstruction or refusal to move forward. In baseball, the term specifically describes a pitcher's deceptive motion, preserving the idea of an abrupt stop. The core logic ties physical blocking to abstract hesitation or defiance.
The horse balked at jumping the fence.
She balked when asked to sign the unfair contract.
The project hit a balk when funding was cut.
The pitcher was penalized for a balk.
His stubbornness became a balk to team progress.