wimp out
/ˌwɪmp ˈaʊt/
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Type
Phrasal verb
- Informal
Meaning
To fail to do something out of fear, lack of confidence, or hesitation.
He planned to confront his landlord today, but he wimped out at the last second.
Are you really going to wimp out on skydiving after buying the tickets?
How it's used
When this means “fail to do something from fear”
- wimp out
He was supposed to give a speech, but he wimped out.
When this means “back out of an agreement or activity from fear”
- wimp out of the jump
Say “wimp out on them.” Not “wimp them out.”
She promised to help us paint, but she wimped out on us.
Collocations
- wimp out on a bet
- wimp out of a challenge
Synonyms
- chicken out
- back out
- cop out