Question of the Day #72

"Although Mickey said he would get into the boxing ring, he chickened out."

上記の文で、chicken outの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does " chicken out" mean?

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


おじけづく、尻込みする

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to decide not to do something because one is afraid

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「怖いから尻込みする・失敗すること」という意味の動詞のchickenは、1943年からのスラング。ほとんどの場合、副詞のoutと一緒に使う。

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

chicken (v.) 
"to back down or fail through cowardice," 1943, U.S. slang, from chicken (n.), almost always with out (adv.).

Examples

• He was going to ask her on a date, but he chickened out at the last minute.
• I chickened out when I saw how deep the water was.
• You can't chicken out of this business deal now.
• Come on! Don't chicken out now!
• My friends dared me to jump into the pond, but I chickened out and climbed down from the tree.