He wanted to ask her out, but he chickened out.
chicken out
idiomTo shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.
She was going to try bungee jumping, but she chickened out at the last minute.
Standing at the edge of the stage, microphone in hand, he felt the familiar dread rise and knew he would chicken out yet again.
- 01
chicken feed
A very small or insignificant quantity, especially of money.
- 02
chicken scratch
Cramped or illegible handwriting.
- 03
choke the chicken
To masturbate by stimulating one's penis.
- 04
play chicken
As a risky test of courage, to drive two vehicles directly toward one another in order to see which driver will swerve away first.
- 05
run around like a chicken with its head cut off
To act in a haphazard or aimless way; to act frantically or without control.