# bottle out

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bottle-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to decide not to do something at the last moment because you are afraid.

For teachers: to lose one's nerve and withdraw from a commitment or intended action; typically carries a negative or critical connotation regarding the subject's courage.

## Examples

- He was going to jump, but he bottled out.
- She planned to tell her boss the truth, but she bottled out when she saw his angry face.
- Despite weeks of rigorous preparation for the solo performance, the young pianist bottled out just as the curtains were about to rise.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bottled out the competition." but "He bottled out of the competition." — if you mention the activity, you must use the preposition 'of' after the phrase.

## Usage notes

- informal British English; often used when someone fails to complete a challenge or a difficult conversation.
- Teaching tip: this is a very common British idiom; you can link it to the noun 'bottle' which is slang for 'courage' (e.g., 'to lose your bottle').

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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.