punk out
Lose your nerve
To punk out is to back down from something out of fear or cowardice—to chicken out when courage is required.
Someone who was supposed to confront a bully but didn't punked out at the last minute.
The phrase carries judgment: you had the chance and lost your nerve.
back down
Withdraw from a stance
- get cold feetSuddenly fear proceeding
- bailCourt-set release payment
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
flinch · cower · shrink · cringe · waver · hesitate · falter · choke · freeze · buckle
bully
Habitual intimidator
threaten · menace · daunt · overawe · unnerve · rattle · spook · shake · demoralize · strong-arm
punk outstand firm
Refuse to retreat
stand one's ground · step up · hold fast · man up · face the music
punk outfollow through
Complete an intended action
come through · show up · deliver · hold up one's end · keep one's word
punk, out, punks, punky, outs, outed, outing, outer, outward