# quail

/ˈkweɪɫ/ (US) · /kwˈeɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quail
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to feel or show fear or worry. You use this when someone loses their courage or pulls back because they are scared.

For teachers: To recoil in dread or terror; to lose heart or courage in the face of difficulty or danger. Often describes a physical or psychological reaction to an intimidating presence.

## Examples

- He did not quail when the boss shouted at him.
- The young soldier tried not to quail as he approached the front lines for the first time.
- Even the most experienced explorers might quail at the prospect of crossing such a treacherous mountain pass during a winter storm.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and often takes the preposition 'at' before the source of fear.

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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.