chicken out

British  

verb

1. informal (intr, adverb) to fail to do something through fear or lack of conviction

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chicken out Idioms  

1. Back out from fear, lose one's nerve, as in In the end I chickened out and took the easier route down the mountain. Chicken is a popular synonym for “cowardly,” a usage arising in the 1600s and 1700s but then apparently abandoned until the 20th century. [Slang; c. 1930]

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Example Sentences

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

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

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2022

I didn’t just chicken out of it, so I am definitely proud of that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 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

I kind of want to chicken out again, but I’m going to force myself to write it.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy