meaning of chicken out/in

[Ion]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #191 "Phrasal Verbs (C)", question 3

Most of the kids at school thought he was scared and that he would ......... of the race.

(a) chicken out
(b) chicken
(c) chicken in

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #191 "Phrasal Verbs (C)", answer 3

Most of the kids at school thought he was scared and that he would chicken out of the race.

Correct answer: (a) chicken out
_________________________

In fact what is the meaning of chicken out/in.

Ion

[Conchita]

To chicken out is to back out of a fight/argument, etc. because you are afraid.

I don't think there's such an expression as 'chicken in'.

[Mister Micawber]

.
No, there is not.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Alan]

Hi,

That raises an interesting point. What would be the opposite of 'chicken 0ut'?

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story In Order

[Mister Micawber]

.
Thesaurus.com offers hold one's ground, stand firm, persist, proceed, go forward, adopt, cherish, claim, continue, defend, keep, maintain, possess, pursue, retain, stick with, support, take up, hold out, stand up to, or withstand.

We might also consider the subtle differences between chicken out and duck out.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Conchita]

'Pluck up (or: screw up) your courage' is a good phrase, too. I also like the French and Spanish equivalent expressions, which are, respectively:

- Take your courage in both hands

- Take the bull by the horns.