Chicken out means to decide at the last minute not to do something because you are scared. The person was planning to do something risky or nerve-racking but lost their courage. In informal English, a chicken is a coward, so the phrase sounds mocking.
When would you say chicken out?
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chicken out (of + noun/-ing); chicken out at the last minute
- I planned to ask a question at the lecture, but I chickened out.
- Mark chickened out of the bungee jump when he saw how high the bridge was.
- Don't chicken out of the interview just because the company sounds impressive.
What changed
First versionShe chickened out from the presentation at the last minute.
RevisionShe chickened out of the presentation at the last minute.
From may seem logical, because the person moves away from something, but chicken out takes of: chicken out of something. Only the preposition has changed.
Back out also means withdrawing from something, but the reason can be anything, not necessarily fear: They backed out of the deal. Chicken out is always about fear and sounds slightly mocking. In an essay, write decide not to take part or withdraw.
Your turn
Anna had signed up to sing at the open mic, but at the last minute she ___ and stayed in her seat.
Show the answer
chickened out — Anna had signed up to sing, but at the last minute she stayed in her seat, so she got scared: chickened out. Showed off means tried to impress people, and she never even went on stage.
Remember a time when you or someone you know got scared and backed out at the last minute. Write what the plan was and what caused the fear.
I was going to give a toast at my sister's wedding, but I chickened out when I saw a hundred guests looking at me.
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