show the white feather

Idioms  

1. 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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Example Sentences

The unexpected resumption of hostilities, the sudden cries hurled at them by the royalist army and by Jeannette, who now led it, greatly surprised the Burgundians, who, nevertheless, did not show the white feather.

From The Executioner's Knife Or Joan of Arc by Sue, Eug?ne

Troubles will visit you, but meet them boldly and courageously and do not show the white feather.

From Think A Book for To-day by Hunter, Col. Wm. C.

"I hope you won't show the white feather by doing anything desperate?"

From The Story of an Untold Love by Ford, Paul Leicester

The Iron Boy, however, possessed too much grit to show the white feather.

From The Iron Boys in the Mines or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft by Mears, James R.

Not one went up; even Josh, who had seemed inclined that way, upon ascertaining that Nick declined to show the white feather, allowed his half raised hand to drop again.

From Motor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence by Arundel, Louis