white feather

American  

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a symbol of cowardice.

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idioms

1. show the white feather, to behave in a cowardly manner.

white feather British  

noun

1. a symbol or mark of cowardice

2. to act in a cowardly manner

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white feather More Idioms  

1. see show the white feather.

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Etymology

Origin of white feather

First recorded in 1775–85; originally from a white feather in a gamecock's tail, taken as a sign of inferior breeding and hence of poor fighting qualities

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

white feather

Ross showcased several glamorous outfits, first donning a silver sequinned gown and white feather boa, then a sparkly red dress with ruffles and, lastly, a neon yellow raincoat with black trousers and top.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

In the final scene of “Forrest Gump,” a white feather dances from Forrest’s feet, into the air, representing one of the movie’s major threads: Are life’s joys and agonies predestined, or are they indiscriminate?

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2025

After the Oscars, just two days before his surprise retirement announcement, Roach put Ann Demeulemeester in a tiny white feather top for the Vanity Fair afterparty and worked with several others on Hollywood’s big night.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2023

And “Icarus” frames white feather shapes in tongues of yellow sunlight, implying a wing falling toward the blue water below.

From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2020

Bending over him, the old man touched his back with a long white feather, held it up for a moment, crimson, for the people to see, then shook it thrice over the snakes.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley