shies away
Draws back from
To shy away is to draw back or retreat from something unpleasant, difficult, or uncomfortable.
The image is of a skittish horse recoiling from a threat.
People shy away from confrontation, controversy, or commitment: She shies away from talking about her past.
The phrase suggests avoidance through timidity rather than deliberate refusal.
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
- balkRefuse to proceed
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- backs offWithdraws from pressure
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
flinch · reluctance · recoil · pulls back · shrink · diffidence · evade · fear · evasion · self-preservation · timidity · reservation · dodging · cold feet · once bitten · anxiety · withdrawal · disengagement