chicken out

VERB

back down

Synonyms

WEAK

avoid back down back out back pedal beg off blow it off bow out cancel cop out funk out get cold feet give up give way go back on have no stomach for make concessions pull out recant renege resign scratch shy from surrender throw in the towel turn yellow weasel out wiggle out wimp out withdraw worm out yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I've just pulled some sliced chicken out of the fridge, as I set out to make up some sandwiches.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2023

“It’s really important when our country is going to crap, and maybe if it starts lightning right now, I might chicken out and run away,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2022

And now Chelsi Stone is glad she didn’t chicken out.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2022

I’m at my most powerful the moment I pull a perfect roast chicken out of the oven, and little makes me happier than sending my friends home full.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2021

He needed to get across to the platform, but he didn’t have any money, and if he thought about it one second longer, he’d chicken out.

From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin

chicken out

Example Sentences

Related Words