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

He knew she was back to her old self when she picked out a blue hat with a white feather tucked into the band.

From Literature

Penguins are easy to draw because they have short legs and distinctive black and white feathers.

From Literature

Its fluffy coating of white feathers was flattened with salt spray, making it look—and smell— convincingly like a large white seabird, or the remains of one.

From Literature

The red paprika dusted over white feathers had turned them a most unchickenlike shade of pink.

From Literature

"My friend's little girl came running up to me and said, 'Look what's landed on me' and a white feather had landed on her, so I just felt like he was here on the day."

From BBC