show the white feather
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Display cowardice, as in The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down. This expression comes from cockfighting, where a white feather in a bird's tail is considered a sign of inferior breeding. [Early 1800s]
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Words nearby show the white feather
show someone out, show someone the door, show someone the ropes, show-stopper, show the way, show the white feather, show-through, showtime, show to advantage, show trial, show up
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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