Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her heart, which at first had quailed in consternation, recovered itself when she considered the character of John Smith.
From A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy
But this huge, hairy, shaggy, almost naked giant, cowering against the side of a shack with all the timidity of a child, marked a climax even to such degeneracy as he had quailed before.
From King Spruce, A Novel by Holman Day
Was this the Great Man the Leader, indomitable, of Roman integrity, of Roman valour, before whose voice whole conventions had quailed?
From The Octopus : A story of California by Frank Norris
They had quailed in their hearts before the power of this malicious demon.
From Quiet Talks on Prayer by S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon
Often before, he had determined to confront Sandford and defy him; but as often he had quailed before that self-possessed and imperious man.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 15, January, 1859 by Various
