shrink back
Retreat in fear
To shrink back is to recoil or withdraw, usually from something frightening, unpleasant, or overwhelming.
The phrase suggests an instinctive physical or emotional retreat: She shrank back when the dog lunged at the fence.
It can also describe reluctance to act: He shrank back from telling her the truth.
- cowerShrink back in dread
- quailFlinch from fear
- blenchShrink back fearfully
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- pull awayIncrease your lead
wince · withdraw · retreat · cringe · shy away · flinch · reluctance · avoidance · apprehension · wariness · fight or flight · trepidation · self-preservation · take cover · fear · anxiety · shy · hesitate
shrink backadvance
Move or progress forward
step forward · move forward · press forward · lean in · approach
shrink backstand firm
Refuse to retreat
hold one's ground · confront · stand one's ground · face down · stand up to
back, shrink, shrinking, shrunken, shrunk, shrank, shrinkage, shrinks, shrinkable