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

Whenever I forget to take the chicken out of the freezer, she lectures me—and then proceeds to prosecute me for forgetting to turn in my language arts essay.

From Literature

Talking to the only other couple who managed not to chicken out like we did, I’ll never forget the looks on their faces when they learned we’d left in the midnight hour.

From Salon

But he chickens out at the last minute, not realizing their relationship is strained and it is the best shot he’d ever have.

From New York Times

“I hope this data helps people not chicken out — like, just go through the front door. It’s not that hard.”

From Salon

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

From Salon