punked out
Backed down cowardly
Punked out means backed down or chickened out of something through cowardice or loss of nerve: He was going to confront his boss but punked out at the last minute.
The phrase suggests someone failed to follow through when courage was required.
Less commonly, it can mean styled or dressed in punk fashion.
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- got cold feetBecame too nervous to proceed
- let downFail to meet expectations
- flakedSeparated in chips
- frozeBecame solid or still
lost nerve · choked up · bailed · cowered · ran scared · flinched · ghosted · backed down · backed off · disappointed · shirked · wavered · reneged · folded · betrayed · ashamed · avoided · dodged
punked outstepped up
Increased in degree
manned up · stood tall · bit the bullet · faced the music · took the plunge
punked outfollowed through
Completed what was started
came through · delivered · showed up · pulled through · persevered
punk, punked, punking, punks, punkish, out, outing, outed, outs