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

See Examples For:

show the white feather

His expression was one of anxiety, but he did not show the white feather.

From Uncle's dream; And The Permanent Husband by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

"He is a brave fellow, and I know he won't show the white feather," said he.

From The Boys of '61 or, Four Years of Fighting, Personal Observations with the Army and Navy by Charles Carleton Coffin

It was not in her nature to show the white feather!

From The Little Vanities of Mrs. Whittaker A Novel by John Strange Winter

He would not show the white feather if he could help it.

From The Squire's Daughter by Silas K(itto) Hocking

It was eight miles from my home, hence this was no place to show the "white feather."

From From Bull Run to Appomattox by Luther W. Hopkins