/bɔ:k ||; bɔk/(especially US 尤为美 balk) verb [I] baulk (at sth) to not want to do or agree to sth because it seems too difficult, dangerous or unpleasant 畏缩；裹足不前: She liked horses, but she baulked at trying to ride one. 她喜欢马，但又不敢骑上去。