chickens out
Backs down fearfully
The phrasal verb chickens out is an informal way to say become afraid or lose courage.
It is most often used in contexts where the subject is in some way committed to a course of action or a decision: She was going to sing a solo but chickened out at the last minute.
- hesitatesShows momentary indecision
- recoilsDraws back suddenly
- turns tailRuns away suddenly
- withdrawsPulls out or removes
- gets cold feetBecomes afraid to proceed
cold sweat · timidity · cowardice · vacillation · indecision · second-guessing · anxiety · avoidance · peer pressure · reputation · wavering · wimps out · backs down · reconsideration · reluctance · apprehension · dread · embarrassment
chickens outbites the bullet
Accepts something unpleasant bravely
takes the plunge · steps up · mans up · faces the music · follows through
chickens outperseveres
Continues despite difficulty
presses on · soldiers on · doubles down · commits · stands one's ground
chicken, chickens, chickened, chickening, outing, outings, outermost