wimp out
Back down fearfully
To wimp out is to back down from something through fear or lack of nerve: I was going to ask for a raise but I wimped out.
The phrase implies cowardice or weakness—the person wanted to do something but couldn't muster the courage.
Often followed by "of": He wimped out of the skydiving trip at the last minute.
- chicken outWithdraw due to fear
- punk outWithdraw due to fear
- back downWithdraw from a stance
- cowardiceAbsence of bravery
- get cold feetSuddenly fear proceeding
spinelessness · cop out · gutless · bottle it · flinch · back out · yield · withdraw · pull out · timidity · retreat · bail · avoidance · capitulation · hesitation · shirking · turn tail · run scared
- escapeescape, flee, run away, get away, flight
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
wimp outtough it out
Endure without quitting
stand firm · face the music · man up · hold your ground · bite the bullet
wimp outtake the plunge
Commit after hesitation
go for it · dive in · take the leap · seize the moment · be bold
wimp outfollow through
Complete an intended action
see it through · stick with it · persevere · stay the course · press on