From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtake the easy way outtake the easy way outto end a situation in a way that seems easy, but is not the best or most sensible way I just took the easy way out and gave him some cash. → easy
Examples from the Corpus
take the easy way out• But these days, if it looks as if it's going to be nasty, I take the easy way out.• Fishwick, however, does not take the easy way out.• This healthy, realistic fear helps the organization resist the temptation to take the easy way out of a problematic situation.• Too many people take the easy way out of financial trouble by declaring bankruptcy.• Not surprisingly they take the easy way out when food is put out for them each day. 