Dodge policeman - unacceptable (3,3)
I believe the answer is:
cop out
'dodge' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'policeman unacceptable' is the wordplay.
'policeman' becomes 'cop' (slang term).
'unacceptable' becomes 'out' (out can mean incorrect or inappropriate).
'cop'+'out'='COP-OUT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cop out that I've seen before include "failure to take responsibility" , "Avoid responsibility for" , "Failure to face some difficulty squarely" , "An evasion or failure - by policeman?" , "cowardly stance" .)