wuss out
Back down fearfully
To wuss out is to back down from something out of fear or timidity—to chicken out.
The phrase implies weakness or cowardice: He was going to ask her out but wussed out at the last minute.
A wuss is someone habitually timid or faint-hearted.
- back downWithdraw from a stance
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- pussyfootAct evasively or stealthily
- shrinkDecrease in size
cowardice · retreat · spinelessness · surrender · get cold feet · lose one's nerve · faintheartedness · yield · flunk · hesitate · timidity · recoil · withdraw · cave in · throw in the towel · turn tail · run scared · avoidance
wuss outstep up
Increase or advance
man up · face the music · cowboy up · take the plunge · bite the bullet
wuss outfollow through
Complete an intended action
see it through · stick with it · come through · deliver · show up
wuss, out, outs, outed, outing, outer, outward, outwardly, wussy