Chicken Out (Phrasal Verb) – Meaning & Examples

Chicken Out (Phrasal Verb)

What Does "Chicken Out" Mean?

The phrasal verb "chicken out" means to decide not to do something because you become too frightened, nervous, or lacking in confidence. It is commonly used when someone plans to do something difficult, risky, or challenging but changes their mind at the last moment due to fear.

This expression is informal and is often used in everyday conversations to describe backing out of an activity because of anxiety or fear.

Definition of "Chicken Out"

Chicken out (phrasal verb)

Meaning:
To decide not to do something because you are too frightened or nervous.

When Do We Use "Chicken Out"?

We use "chicken out" when someone:

• Loses courage before doing something.

• Decides not to take a risk.

• Backs out of a planned activity because of fear.

• Changes their mind at the last minute due to nervousness.

The phrase often refers to situations involving adventure, public speaking, competitions, difficult conversations, or anything that requires courage.

Keep learning → 5 Common Phrasal Verbs You’re Using Wrong

Example Sentences

Here are some examples of "chicken out" in context:

• He was going to ask her on a date, but he chickened out at the last moment.

• She was going to go bungee jumping, but she chickened out.

• We were going to go skydiving, but Dua chickened out at the last minute.

• Her mother complains that she makes excuses to chicken out of family occasions such as weddings.

• I nearly chickened out before giving my presentation, but I managed to finish it successfully.

• They wanted to explore the haunted house, but everyone chickened out after hearing strange noises.

• Don't chicken out now—you've worked too hard to give up.

• My brother promised to ride the roller coaster with us, but he chickened out when he saw how high it was.

Grammar of "Chicken Out"

Base form: chicken out

Past tense: chickened out

Past participle: chickened out

Present participle: chickening out

Common sentence patterns

• Chicken out of + noun

  • She chickened out of the competition.

  • He chickened out of the interview.

• Chicken out of + verb (-ing)

  • They chickened out of climbing the mountain.

  • I almost chickened out of speaking in front of the audience.

Common Situations Where "Chicken Out" Is Used

The phrasal verb is frequently used in situations involving:

• Adventure sports

• Public speaking

• Job interviews

• Exams

• Competitions

• Romantic proposals

• Difficult conversations

• Travelling alone

• Family gatherings

• Taking on new challenges

Synonyms of "Chicken Out"

Here are some words and expressions with similar meanings:

• back out

• lose courage

• lose your nerve

• give up

• withdraw

• back down

• lose heart

• shy away from

• avoid

• retreat

Although these expressions are similar, "chicken out" is more informal and usually emphasises fear.

Related Words

• frightened

• afraid

• scared

• terrified

• petrified

• fearful

• alarmed

• shocked

• startled

• frozen

• panicky

Common Mistakes

❌ He chickened from the competition.

✔ He chickened out of the competition.

❌ She chickened out to go skydiving.

✔ She chickened out of going skydiving.

❌ They chickened out because they were excited.

✔ They chickened out because they were frightened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "chicken out" informal?

Yes. It is an informal phrasal verb commonly used in everyday English.

Can "chicken out" be used for small decisions?

Yes. Although it is often used for risky or difficult situations, it can also describe everyday situations where someone loses confidence and decides not to continue.

What is the opposite of "chicken out"?

Some opposite expressions include go through with, face up to, be brave enough, and take the plunge.

Conclusion

The phrasal verb "chicken out" is used to describe someone who decides not to do something because they become frightened or lose confidence. It is a useful expression in everyday English and appears frequently in conversations about challenges, adventures, and situations that require courage. Learning how to use "chicken out" correctly will help you understand and speak more natural English in a wide variety of situations.