Chicken out Meaning in English
expression
ˈtʃɪkən/ /ˈaʊt
CHIK-uhn OWT
tʃˈɪkɪn/ /ˈaʊt
CHIK-in OWT
Definition
To suddenly decide not to do something because you are afraid or have lost your courage.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal/slang. Used mainly in negative or embarrassing contexts: 'Don’t chicken out!' Common with challenges or dares. Not used in formal writing. Similar to 'back out' but stronger focus on fear.
Spanish: acobardarse - rajarse - echarse para atrásPortuguese (BR): amarelar - desistir por medoPortuguese (PT): acobardar-se - desistir por medoChinese (Simplified): 临阵退缩 - 胆怯放弃Chinese (Traditional): 臨陣退縮 - 膽怯放棄Hindi: डर कर पीछे हटनाArabic: يَجْبُن - يتراجع خوفاًBengali: ভয়ে পিছিয়ে যাওয়া - সাহস হারিয়ে পিছিয়ে পড়াRussian: струсить - струсить (разговорное)Japanese: 怖気づく - ビビるVietnamese: rụt lui vì sợ - chùn bướcKorean: 겁먹고 포기하다 - 쫄다Turkish: korkup vazgeçmek - ödü kopmakUrdu: ڈر کے پیچھے ہٹ جاناIndonesian: mundur karena takut - ciut nyali
Example Sentences
He almost jumped, but he chickened out at the last second.
basic
Don’t chicken out now—you can do it!
basic
I was going to ask her out, but I chickened out.
basic
We planned to go skydiving, but everyone chickened out in the end.
natural
I don’t want to chicken out this time—I’m going to speak in front of the class.
natural
You promised to try the sushi—don’t chicken out now!
natural