Chicken out 表示因为害怕，在最后关头决定不做某件事。原本计划做一件有风险或令人紧张的事，却临时失去了勇气。非正式英语中，chicken 可以指胆小鬼，所以这个表达带有嘲笑意味。
什么情境适合说 chicken out？
写一句英语，检查习语是否适合当前情境，以及哪里需要修改。
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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.
修改原因
修改前She chickened out from the presentation at the last minute.
修改后She chickened out of the presentation at the last minute.
From 看起来似乎合理，因为人是从某件事中退出来。但 chicken out 后接的是 of：chicken out of something。这里只修改了介词。
Back out 也表示退出，但原因可以有很多，不一定是害怕：They backed out of the deal。Chicken out 则强调害怕，并带一点嘲弄。正式作文可以写 decide not to take part 或 withdraw。
动手练习
Anna had signed up to sing at the open mic, but at the last minute she ___ and stayed in her seat.
查看答案
chickened out — Anna 报名唱歌，却在最后关头仍坐在座位上，说明她因为害怕退缩了：chickened out。Showed off 表示试图炫耀、让人注意，但她根本没有上台。
回想一次你或认识的人在最后关头因害怕而退缩的经历。写出原来的计划，以及害怕的原因。
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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