punking out
Losing your nerve
Punking out is backing down from a challenge or commitment out of fear or weakness.
Someone who punks out loses nerve at the crucial moment: He was going to ask her out but punked out at the last second.
The phrase implies cowardice or lack of resolve, suggesting the person failed to live up to expectations—their own or others'.
- cowardiceAbsence of bravery
- flakingShedding in layers
- renegingFailing to keep commitments
- no showPerson who fails to appear
- getting cold feetLosing nerve before commitment
losing nerve · withdrawing · bailing · running scared · evading · shirking · folding · abandoning · throwing in the towel · freezing up · dodging · backing down · backing off · avoidance · hesitation · reluctance · losing heart · insecurity
punking outstepping up
Assuming more responsibility
following through · manning up · facing the music · rising to the occasion · biting the bullet
punking outrepresenting
Acting as proxy for
coming through · standing tall · keeping it real · saving face
punk, punks, punked, punking, punkish, out, outs, outed, outing