chicken out

chicken out

slang To refuse to do something due to fear (real or perceived). Jumping off the high-dive is fun! Don't chicken out! I didn't chicken out, I just changed my mind, OK?
See also: chicken, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chicken out (of something)

Inf. to manage to get out of something, usually because of fear or cowardice. Come on! Don't chicken out now! Freddy chickened out of the plan at the last minute.
See also: chicken, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

chicken out

Back out from fear, lose one's nerve, as in In the end I chickened out and took the easier route down the mountain. Chicken is a popular synonym for "cowardly," a usage arising in the 1600s and 1700s but then apparently abandoned until the 20th century. [Slang; c. 1930]
See also: chicken, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

chicken out

v. Slang
To decide not to do or complete an activity due to fear: My friends dared me to jump into the pond, but I chickened out and climbed down from the tree.
See also: chicken, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

chicken out

verb
See chicken out of something
See also: chicken, out
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • chicken out of (something)
  • chicken out of something
  • you're chicken
  • be no spring chicken
  • no chicken
  • no spring chicken
  • chicken out on
  • chicken out on (one)
  • chicken powder
  • funk out