chicken out of something

chicken out of (something)

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

chicken out (of something)

in. to manage to get out of something, usually because of fear or cowardice. Freddy chickened out of the plan at the last minute.
See also: chicken, of, out, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • chicken out of (something)
  • chicken out
  • you're chicken
  • be no spring chicken
  • no chicken
  • no spring chicken
  • chicken out on
  • chicken out on (one)
  • chicken powder
  • funked out