chicken out on (one)

chicken out on (one)

To impact someone else with one's refusal to do something due to fear (real or perceived). We've come this far. Don't chicken out on me now—I need you to help me climb the rest of the way! I didn't chicken out on you guys, I just changed my mind, OK? I knew John would chicken out on us—his tough-guy persona is just an act.

See also: chicken, on, out

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

chicken out on someone

Inf. to decide not to do something for or with someone. Come on, don't chicken out on me now! Ken chickened out on us and won't be going with us.

See also: chicken, on, out

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.