run scared
Retreat in terror
To run scared is to act out of fear, especially fear of losing or failing.
Politicians run scared when they sense voters turning against them; businesses run scared when competitors threaten their market share.
The phrase suggests anxious, defensive behavior driven by perceived threat: The incumbent is running scared after the latest polls.
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- chicken outWithdraw due to fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- hideConceal or pelt
afraid · cold feet · panic · dash · cowardice · petrified · hunted · frighten · back down · white-knuckled · fear · prey · survival · fight or flight · escape · avoidance · turn tail · wimp out
run scaredstand your ground
Refuse to back down
stand firm · hold your ground · stand fast · face the music · take a stand
run scaredpush back
Oppose or delay something
counterattack · press forward · seize the initiative · double down · come out swinging
run, runner, scare, running, scared, runs, frightened, scares, scaring