# chicken out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/chicken-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.

## Examples

- He wanted to ask her out, but he chickened out.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.