Pronunciation: [bˈɔːlkɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "balking" is spelled with the letters B-A-L-K-I-N-G. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈbɔːkɪŋ/, with a long "o" sound in the first syllable, and a short "i" sound in the second syllable. The "k" sound in the middle of the word is spelled with a "k" rather than a "c" because it follows a short vowel sound. "Balking" is a verb that means to refuse to proceed with an action or idea.
Balking refers to the act of hesitating, showing reluctance, or refusing to proceed with a particular action or task. It often involves a sudden stop or mental resistance when one is expected to move forward or act according to the desired or expected course of action. This term can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in sports, business, or personal situations.
In sports, balking commonly refers to a player's hesitation or sudden stopping in the midst of performing a specific action. For example, in baseball, a pitcher may be called for balking when they make an illegal move or feint towards the base runners, disrupting their ability to steal a base.
In business, balking can describe an individual or group's reluctance to proceed with a proposed venture, investment, or decision due to doubts, concerns, or fears about potential risks or negative outcomes. It represents a hesitancy to commit to a course of action.
On a personal level, balking can occur when an individual shows resistance to moving forward or taking necessary steps in their personal development or relationships. This could be due to fear, uncertainty, or a lack of confidence, leading to a resistance to change or progress.
Overall, balking embodies the act of resisting, hesitating, or refusing to move forward, whether it is in sports, business, or personal aspects of life. It signifies a pause in progress or an unwillingness to engage in a particular action or decision.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "balking" comes from the verb "balk", which has its roots in the Old English word "balcan". This Old English word evolved into "balken" in Middle English, meaning "to hesitate, to stop abruptly, to obstruct", often used in reference to horses refusing to go forward. The term "balk" eventually gave rise to the present participle "balking", which is commonly used to describe someone hesitating, refusing, or being unwilling to proceed with a particular action or plan.
