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Synonyms

wimp out

British  

verb

  1. informal (intr, adverb) to fail to do or complete something through fear or lack of conviction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"If you don't do it, I picked the wrong man four years ago," adding, "You're going to wimp out."

From Salon • Sep. 18, 2021

Like me, you probably hate to see a conspiracist wimp out of their beliefs just when it’s coming up roses for them.

From The Guardian • Oct. 6, 2020

Though thwarted in the past, the evil machines of the future refuse to wimp out.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 24, 2017

In a telephone conversation, Wildstein told him not to call the mayor back because Baroni would "wimp out" and ruin the study, according to Baroni.

From Reuters • Oct. 17, 2016

Inkling promised it would work if I’d just commit myself and not wimp out.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.