Quail at Meaning in English
expression
ˈkweɪɫ/ /ˈæt
KWALE-at
kwˈeɪl/ /ˈæt
kw-ALE-at
Definition
To suddenly feel afraid or to lose confidence when faced with something difficult, challenging, or frightening.
Usage & Nuances
A formal, literary, or somewhat old-fashioned expression. Often used with negative statements (‘did not quail at’). Used when someone is expected to be brave but is intimidated. Not related to the bird 'quail'.
Spanish: acobardarse ante - estremecerse antePortuguese (BR): vacilar diante de - estremecer-se comPortuguese (PT): vacilar perante - estremecer-se comChinese (Simplified): 在……面前畏缩 - 被……吓倒Chinese (Traditional): 在……面前畏縮 - 被……嚇倒Hindi: के सामने डरना - विचलित होनाArabic: يَجبُن أمام - يَخاف منBengali: এর মুখোমুখি হতভম্ব হয়ে যাওয়া - এর মুখে ভয় পাওয়াRussian: испытывать страх перед - струсить передJapanese: 〜にひるむ - 〜におじけづくVietnamese: chùn bước trước - sợ hãi trướcKorean: 앞에서 움츠러들다 - 앞에서 두려워하다Turkish: karşısında yılmak - karşısında çekinmekUrdu: کے سامنے گھبرا جانا - کے سامنے ڈر جاناIndonesian: gentar pada - mundur karena takut
Example Sentences
She did not quail at the thought of speaking in public.
basic
The soldiers did not quail at the enemy's attack.
basic
He will not quail at any obstacle in his way.
basic
She didn't quail at the prospect of moving abroad on her own.
natural
Even experts sometimes quail at unexpected questions from the audience.
natural
I didn't quail at the possibility of starting over in a new city.
natural