Reverse Dictionary: COWARD

ADJECTIVES
► BALL-LESS cowardly, gutless; lacking courage or nerve → 1958 US sl.
► BEASTLY cowardly, unmanly → 1584 obs.
► BITCH-ASS weak, timid, or cowardly → 2001 African-American sl.
► CAFF-HEARTED cowardly, faint-hearted, timid; of a worthless, mean disposition → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CAFFY cowardly, faint-hearted, timid → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CAFT cowardly, faint-hearted, timid; of a worthless, mean disposition → 1830 Eng. dial.
► CAITIFF cowardly, vile, wicked, mean, base; despicable → 1300
► CALF-HEARTED cowardly, timid → 1889 Eng. dial.
► CANDY cowardly → 1970 US high school sl. (Bk.)
► CANDY-ASS timid, feeble, cowardly → 1950 US sl.
► CANDY-ASSED timid, feeble, cowardly → 1950 US sl.
► CAT-HEARTED cowardly → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CHICKEN cowardly, afraid → 1933 orig. US
► CHICKEN-GUTTED cowardly → 1950 US sl.
► CHICKEN-HEARTED cowardly → 1629
► CHICKEN-LIVERED cowardly → 1804
► CHICKEN-SHIT cowardly, fearful → 1945 sl., orig. US
► CHOOKEE cowardly, foolish → 1983 Amer. dial.
► CHUMP-ASS weak, timid, or cowardly → 1993 African-American sl.
► COLD-FOOTED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► COPPER-HEARTED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► COWARDISE cowardly → 1582 obs.
► COWARDISH cowardly → 1530 obs.
► COWARDOUS cowardly; timid; faint-hearted → 1480 obs.
► COW-HEARTED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► COWISH cowardly → 1579 obs.
► CRADDENLY cowardly → 1674 obs.
► CRASSANTLY cowardly → 1674 obs.
► CRAVEN cowardly, weak-hearted, pusillanimous → 1400
► CRAVEN-HEARTED cowardly, weak-hearted → 1615
► CRAVENLY cowardly → 1653 obs.
► CRAYFISHING acting in a cowardly or scheming manner → 1966 Aust.
► DASTARD cowardly, characterized by mean shrinking from danger; showing base cowardice → 1489
► DASTARDLY showing despicable cowardice → 1576
► DUNGHILL cowardly, faint-hearted, lacking in courage, spirit, or fight → 1775 obs.
► FACELESS cowardly, lacking courage → 1596 obs.
► FAGGOT-ASS cowardly, weak, contemptible → 2000 African-American sl.
► FAGGOTY cowardly, useless, second-rate → 1964 sl.
► FAINT cowardly, wanting in courage, spiritless → 1300 obs.
► FAINTED rendered cowardly or timid → 1500 obs.
► FAINT-HEART cowardly, faint-hearted; timid; spiritless → 1590
► FAINTLING cowardly, faint-hearted, timid, spiritless → 1712 obs.
► FASERT ► FAZART cowardly, dastardly → 1508 obs.
► FAT AROUND THE HEART cowardly → 1935 African-American sl.
► FEATHER-LEGGED cowardly, timid; frightened → 1934 Amer. dial.
► FUNKY cowardly, afraid, fearful, timid, nervous → 1837 sl.
► GIZZARDLESS cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GRITLESS cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GUTLESS cowardly, feeble, lacking determination → 1900 US sl.
► HEN-HEARTED cowardly, chicken-hearted, timid → 1529
► HILDING cowardly, spiritless, base, menial, mean, wretched → 1581 arch.
► IMBELLIOUS cowardly, unwarlike → 1602 obs.
► KICKEN-HEARTED cowardly, faint-hearted → 1808 Sc.
► LILY-LIVERED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LIVER-FACED cowardly, mean → 1834
► LOW-SPIRITED cowardly, nervous → 1548
► MEACOCK cowardly, effeminate, timorous, spiritless → 1587 obs.
► MICKEY-MOUSE chicken, cowardly → 1968 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► MILK-LIVERED cowardly, timid, faint-hearted → 1605
► MILKY cowardly → 1936 sl.
► MILQUETOASTY cowardly, meek, timid → 1965 Amer. dial.
► MOKE-HEARTED timid, cowardly → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MURCID slothful; cowardly → 1656 obs.
► NERVY cowardly, scared, tense; nervous; ill at ease → 1891 sl.
► NESH cowardly, wanting in courage, timid; faint-hearted; poor-spirited → 1382 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► NIDDERING cowardly, weak, base → 1848
► ONE-GUTTED cowardly → 1961 US sl.
► PALE-HEARTED cowardly, wanting in spirit or courage; fearful, timid → 1605
► PIKER cowardly, mean, shirking → 1901 sl.
► PIPPIN-HEARTED cowardly, chicken-hearted, faint-hearted, timid → 1809
► POLTROON resembling a poltroon; cowardly; wretched → 1649
► POLTROONISH fearful, timid, cowardly → 1801
► POOR-SPIRITED timid, cowardly → 1611
► POOSHEY ► POOSHIE ► POOSHY ► PUSHIE cowardly; effeminate → 1960s Ulster sl.
► PUCKER-ASSED cowardly, timid, fearful → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PUNK contemptible, despicable; thuggish; cowardly; inexperienced → 1907 colloq., orig. & chiefly US
► PUNK-ASS weak, timid, or cowardly → 2002 African-American sl.
► PUSILLANIME lacking in courage and strength of mind; of weak spirit; faint-hearted, cowardly → 1570 obs.
► PUSILLANIMOUS lacking in courage or strength of purpose; faint-hearted, cowardly → 1425
► PUSSY weak, cowardly → 1842 colloq.
► PUSSY-ASS cowardly, weak → 1970 US sl.
► PUSSYFOOT cowardly, weak → 1910
► PUTTY-HEARTED soft-hearted; lacking in courage, cowardly → 1872
► RABBIT-HEARTED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► RECRAYED cowardly, craven → 1330 obs.
► SCAREDY cowardly, afraid, fearful, timid → 1955 Amer. dial.
► SCARY cowardly, easily frightened, fearful, afraid, timid → 1800 Amer. dial.
► SHITEING cowardly → 1930 sl.
► SHITTING cowardly → 1930 sl.
► SOFT cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SPUNKLESS cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► STREAKED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► STREAKY cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TURN-TAIL cowardly → 1861
► WHEY-BLOODED cowardly → 1675 obs.
► WHITE-HEARTED cowardly, faint-hearted, timid → 1598
► WITH A YELLOW STREAK ► WITH A YELLOW STREAK DOWN ONE’S BACK cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WUSSY cowardly, weak, effeminate, timid, passive → 1970 sl.
► YELLER AS MUSTARD WITHOUT THE BITE cowardly → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► YELLOW cowardly → 1856 sl., orig. US
► YELLOW AS BABY SHIT very cowardly → 1974 US sl.
► YELLOW-BELLIED cowardly → 1924 sl., orig. US
► YELLOW-LIVERED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► YELLOW-STREAKED cowardly → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► YELLOW-WYMED cowardly, yellow-bellied → 1824 Sc.

ADVERBS
► DASTARDLY in a cowardly manner → 1552 obs.
► FAINTLY like a coward; in a spiritless manner; timidly → 1297 obs.
► FAT AROUND THE HEART cowardly → 1935 Amer. dial.

NOUNS
► BACK-OUT cowardice; a disposition to retreat from an opponent → 1828 Amer. dial.
► BUZZARDISM cowardice; conduct resembling that of the buzzard → 1659
► COWARDRY cowardice → 1547 obs.
► COWARDY cowardice → 1405 obs.
► DASTARDICE mean or base cowardice → 1603 obs.
► DASTARDLINESS mean or base cowardliness → 1561
► DASTARDNESS base cowardice, dastardliness → 1519 obs.
► DASTARDY base or mean cowardice → 1588 arch.
► FAINTISE cowardice; want of energy; feebleness, weakness of body or mind → 1297 obs.
► FUNK a state of cowardice, terror, fear → 1743 orig. Oxford University usage
► FUNKING a showing fear, nervousness, or cowardice; backing out of or evading something due to nerves, cowardice, etc. → 1823 colloq.
► HAGGIS-HEART a cowardly, soft heart → 1812 Sc.
► LASHNESS cowardice → 1477 obs.
► LOW-SPIRITEDNESS cowardice → 1641
► MANLESSNESS cowardice → 1667 obs.
► MICROPSYCHY cowardice, feeble courage, faintness of heart, pusillanimity → 1651 obs.
► MUTTON cowardice → 1969 US sl.
► NESHNESS cowardice; lack of courage → 897 obs.
► POLTROONERY cowardice, pusillanimity → 1637
► POLTROONISM cowardice → 1644
► PUSILLANIMITY lack of courage or fortitude; cowardice, faint-heartedness → 1393
► PUSSY cowardice → 1970 sl.
► SHEEPNESS pusillanimity; cowardice; faintheartedness → 1380 obs.
► TRENCH HORRORS cowardice and fear, or fear of same → 20C Amer. sl., World War I usage
► UMBRELLA cowardice → 1930 sl.
► YELLOW STREAK cowardice; excessive timidity → 1896 sl.

NOUNS – PERSON
► ACRES a coward, esp. if boastful → 1755 colloq. obs.
► ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE a coward →M19 sl.
► AFRIC BIRD a coward; a person in bright or showy clothes → 1623 obs.
► BABY a coward → 1988 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► BALL-LESS WONDER a cowardly person → 1958 US sl.
► BANGBROEK a coward, a poltroon → 1913 S. Afr. (Bk.)
► BIG GIRL’S BLOUSE a cowardly, weak, timid, or oversensitive man; an ineffectual person; an effeminate male → 1969 UK sl.
► BISCUIT a coward, a weakling → 1998 euphemism for ‘bitch’
► BOG-SCLENT a coward → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BOTTLE MERCHANT a coward, someone who loses nerve → 2000 UK sl.
► BOTTLER a cowardly or timid person; a person who loses his or her nerve → 1994 UK sl.
► BOUCH  a coward; a sneak → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BULLY a tyrannical coward who makes himself a terror to the weak → 1688
► CABBAGE-GARDEN PATRIOT a coward → 1848 colloq., political usage
► CACKTY a cowardly, soft fellow → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CAFF a coward → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CAITIFF a cowardly, mean, base, or despicable fellow → 1250 arch.
► CALDERA a coward, a spiritless person → 20C Ireland
► CALF a cowardly or timid person → 1967 Amer. sl.
► CALF-HEART  a coward → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► CANARY KID a coward, a weakling → 1940 US criminals’ sl.
► CANDY-ASS a coward; a timid and helpless person → M20 US sl.
► CANDY BOY a cowardly or effeminate person → 1901 US sl.
► CANDY COCK a cowardly or effeminate person → 1925 US sl.
► CANDY KID a cowardly or effeminate person → 1905 US sl.
► CASPAR a cowardly, weak person → 1930 sl.
► CASPAR MILQUETOAST ► CASPER MILKTOAST ► CASPER MILQUETOAST a cowardly or very timid person; a meek, easily intimidated person → 1930 sl.
► CHICKEN a coward → 1936 sl.
► CHICKEN GIZZARD a coward → M19 US sl.
► CHICKEN-HEART a coward → 1602
► CHICKEN-LIVER a coward → 1930 colloq.
► CHICKEN-SHIT a coward → 1947 sl., orig. US
► CHICKIE a coward, a timid creature → 17C sl.
► COISTRIL a cowardly or timorous person → 1570 arch.
► COLD-FOOTER a cowardly soldier, or someone too cowardly to become a soldier → 1916 Aust.
► COW a timid, faint-hearted person; a coward → 1584 obs.
► COWARDLY CUSTARD a cowardly or fearful person → 1800
► COWARDY CALF a timid, cowardly, or easily frightened person → 1897 Amer. dial.
► COWARDY-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1965 Amer. dial.
► COW-BABY a coward, a timorous person → 1594 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► COW-HEART a coward → 1768
► CRADDEN ► CRADDON a coward, a craven → 1513 obs.
► CRATHON – a term of depreciation for a person; a craven → 1400 obs.
► CRAVEN a confessed coward → 1581
► CRINGELING a cringing or servile person; a servile flatterer; a fawner; a sycophant; a coward → 1798
► CUR a cowardly, surly, ill-bred, or low fellow → 1600
► CUSTARD a cowardly or fearful person → 1598
► CUSTREL a cowardly or timorous person → 1570 arch.
► DAFF ► DAFFE a coward, a simpleton, a fool → 1325 obs. exc. N. Eng. dial.
► DAFFHEAD a coward → 1873 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► DAG a coward, an unenterprising person → 1950 Aust. & NZ sl.
► DASTARD a mean, base, or despicable coward; one who does malicious acts in a cowardly, skulking way, so as not to expose himself to risk → 1526
► DASTARDLING a contemptible coward → 1800
► DAWKIN a coward → 19C Eng. dial.
► DINGO a cowardly, treacherous, or despicable person → 1869 Aust. sl.
► DISHRAG a coward, a weak-willed person who is frequently exploited or dominated by others → 1976 US sl.
► DOMINICKER a coward → 20C W. Indies
► DOMMERNECKER a coward → 1987 Amer. dial.
► DRUGGLE a cowardly, spiritless, heavy, or stupid fellow → 1611 obs.
► DUFFER a coward, an awkward, unskilful fellow → 1890 sl. (Bk.)
► DUNGHILL a cowardly person; one lacking in courage, spirit, or fight → 1761 N. Ireland
► DUNGHILL CRAVEN a cowardly or contemptible person → 1587 obs.
► FAAP a cowardly, hulking fellow → 1907 Sc.
► FACE OF STRAW a cowardly or weak person → 1734
► FAD a cowardly, indecisive person → 1877 Eng. dial.
► FAGGOT a cowardly, effeminate, or weak fellow → 1914 Amer. sl.
► FAINT-HEART a coward, a person who has a faint heart → 1870
► FAINTLING a person who is cowardly, faint-hearted, timid, or spiritless → 1614 obs.
► FAIZARD ► FAIZART ► FASERT ► FAZARD ► FAZART a coward, a dastard → 1597 Sc. obs.
► FLINCH a coward → 1936 Amer. dial.
► FRAID-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1910 sl.
► FRAIDYBUG a cowardly or timid person → 1965 Amer. dial.
► FRAIDY-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1910 sl.
► FUGIE a coward → 1777 Sc. obs.
► FUNK a cowardly, nervous, or timorous person → 1808 colloq.
► FUNKER one who is a coward, a weakling, or a shirker → 1826
► FUNKSTICK a cowardly, nervous, or timid person → 1860
► GALLINA a coward → 2002 prison sl., Hispanic (Bk.)
► GARLIC-EATER a coward, a low fellow → 1616
► GARRON a coward, a man without mettle → 1840 Sc.
► GETLING a cowardly or timorous person → 1887 Sc. obs.
► GIMP a coward, a weakling → 1979 sl., orig. US students’ usage
► GLASS JAW a coward; one easily defeated; a gullible person; a dupe → 1927 US students’ sl.
► GO-EASY a cowardly or very timid person → 1970 Amer. dial.
► GRANDMA a cowardly, weak, or timid man → 1940 Amer. dial., derogatory
► GRANDMOTHER a cowardly, weak, or timid man → 1940 Amer. dial., derogatory
► GUSSIE a man; later, (derogatory) a weak, cowardly, or effeminate man → 1895 chiefly US & Aust., usually offensive
► GUTLESS WONDER a coward, a totally insipid and spineless person → 1937 Amer. sl.
► HAG  a coward → 1997 Ulster sl. (Bk.)
► HAGGIS-HEART a cowardly, soft person → 1812 Sc.
► HAMMIE ► HAMMY a cowardly, sheepish person → 1870 Eng. dial.
► HECTOR a vapouring, swaggering coward → 1737 (Bk.)
► HEN a cowardly, hen-hearted, or timorous person of either sex → 1632
► HEN-HEART a coward, a person who has the heart of a hen; a chicken-heart → 1440
► HIGO a coward → 1997 Irish sl. (Bk.)
► HILDING a cowardly, mean, base fellow; a wretch → 1601 arch.
► HOUSE BIRD a person who stays in or about the house; a cowardly or unadventurous person; later, a woman who devotes herself to domestic duties → 1601
► JESSIE a cowardly or effeminate man → 1923 colloq.
► KAYNARD a cowardly, lazy person; a sluggard; a rascal → 1782 obs.
► KECKEN a coward → 1923 Sc.
► LADYFINGER a cowardly man; a weak or effeminate fellow → 1942 US sl.
► LILY LIVER a person who is afraid; a coward → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MEACOCK a coward, a spiritless or timorous fellow; a weakling → 1526 obs.
► MEATER a cowardly man → L19 Brit. sl., chiefly Cockneys’ usage
► MIDDEN-DAUP a cowardly fellow → 1905 Eng. dial.
► MILIQUANT TOAST ► MILKY-TOAST a cowardly or very timid person; a meek, easily intimidated person → 1965 Amer. dial.
► MILQUETOAST a cowardly or very timid person; a meek, easily intimidated person → 1938 Amer. dial.
► MOUSE a coward; an extremely shy or introverted person; a weakling → 1839
► MOUSE-KILLER a coward → 1607 obs., derogatory
► MOUSE’S HEART a coward → 1425 obs.
► MR. MILQUETOAST a cowardly, weak person → 1930 sl.
► MUDGER a coward; a milksop → E19 Brit. sl.
► NIDDERING a base coward or wretch → 1596
► NIDGING a coward → 19C
► NIGGET a coward → 19C obs.
► NO NECK a weakling, a coward; an idiot → 1989 sl.
► PALK a coward → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► PALLAWA a cowardly or worthless fellow → 1825 Sc.
► PANTYWAIST a cowardly person; a timid, weak, or effeminate boy or man; a sissy → 1936 US sl.
► PAPBROEK a coward, a weakling → 1930 S. Afr. sl.
► PIKER a cowardly or stingy person; a shirker → 1859 colloq., orig. US, derogatory
► POLTROON an utter coward; a mean-spirited person; a worthless wretch → 1529 arch. or humorous usage
► POOSHEY ► POOSHIE ► POOSHY a coward → 1960 Ulster sl.
► POSSUM-GUTS a coward → 1945 sl.
► PUDDING-HEART a coward, a soft-heart, a poltroon → 1834
► PUFF a cowardly or weak person → 1974 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PUNK a weak person; a coward; a useless jerk, usually a male; a worthless man; an ineffectual or incompetent person → 1939 US sl.
► PUSHIE a coward → 1960 Ulster sl.
► PUSS a sweet or effeminate man; a weakling, a coward → 1942 chiefly US
► PUSSY a sweet or effeminate male; later; a weakling, a coward, a sissy; also, a homosexual man → 1904 sl., chiefly US
► PUSSYBOY a cowardly person → 1980 sl.
► PUSSYFOOT a coward, a weakling → 1930 sl.
► PUSSYFOOTER a coward, a weakling → 1930 sl.
► QUACK-BREECH a coward; a person wanting in courage → 1590 obs.
► QUACK-BUTTOCK ► QUAKE-BUTTOCK a coward; a person wanting in courage → 1616 obs.
► QUAKE BREACH ► QUAKE-BREECH a coward; a person wanting in courage → 1590 obs.
► RABBIT a coward; someone who is as timid as a rabbit → 1896 sl.
► RABBIT FOOT a coward; a timid person → 1925 African-American sl.
► RECREANT a cowardly or disloyal person → 1425 arch.
► SACKIE ► SACKY ► ZACKY a coward; a soft fellow; a dupe → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SCARDY a coward → 1904 Eng. dial., juvenile usage (Bk.)
► SCARE-CAT ► SCARED-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1965 Amer. dial.
► SCAREDY-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1930 colloq.
► SCARY-CAT a cowardly or very timid person → 1965 Amer. dial.
► SCOUK a cowardly, skulking fellow; one with a downcast or dogged look → 1882 Sc.
► SHY-COCK a coward → L18 Brit. sl.
► SISSY a coward; an effeminate boy or man, esp. a homosexual → 1879 US sl.
► SKITTERBROOK a coward; a person who befouls his breeches → 1632 obs.
► SKOOK a cowardly, skulking fellow; a sneak → 1882 Sc.
► SLINK a contemptible fellow; a coward → 1845 Amer.
► SNEAKSBY a cowardly, creeping scoundrel; a paltry fellow; a sneak → 1580
► SOOK a coward → 1933 Aust. & NZ sl.
► SQUIB a coward → 1945 Aust. sl.
► TATTIE-BOGLE a coward; a ragged, unkempt, or grotesquely-dressed person → 1972 Sc.
► TATTIE BOODIE a cowardly or stupid person → 1972 Sc.
► TURN-TAIL a person who abandons or forsakes his former associates or principles; also, a coward → 1621
► VILIACO a coward; a villain, a scoundrel; a vile or contemptible person → 1599 obs.
► WEAKIE ► WEAKY a weak or cowardly person → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► WILL-IF-I-DARE a man too cowardly to attempt to get what he wants → 1901 Eng. dial.
► WILLY-BOY a coward; a sissy → 1914 Amer. sl.
► WINDY a coward → 20C Amer. sl., World War I usage
► WOMAN-JESSIE a cowardly man → 1934 Amer. dial.
► WOOFIE a cowardly and weak person → 2006 Amer. teen & high school sl. (Bk.)
► YATTY a cowardly man → 2003 Black British sl.
► YELDEN ► YELDING a cowardly, mean fellow →1853 Eng. dial.
► YELLOW BACK a coward → 1922 US sl.
► YELLOW BASTARD a coward; a person without courage or fortitude → 1979 sl.
► YELLOW-BELLY a coward → 1927 colloq., orig. US
► YELLOW-BELLY BIRD a coward → 1960 Trinidad and Tobago 
► YELLOW CUR a coward; a person without courage or fortitude → 1979 sl.
► YELLOW DOG a coward; a person without courage or fortitude → 1979 sl.
► YELLOW GUTS a coward → 1979 US sl.
► YELLOWHAMMER a coward → 1913 US sl.
► YELLOW HEEL a coward → 1949 US sl.
► YELLOW PUP a coward; a person without courage or fortitude → 1979 sl.

PHRASES
► HE COULDN’T KNOCK THE SKIN OFF A RICE-PUDDING expresses extreme contempt of a weakling or of a coward → 20C
► HIS TAIL IS DRAGGING said of a coward or of a discouraged person → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)

VERBS
► ACCOWARD to render cowardly; to intimidate, to cow, to make faint-hearted → 1530 obs.
► ACCOWARDIZE to render cowardly; to intimidate, to cow, to make faint-hearted → 1480 obs.
► CAFF to turn coward, to lose courage, to be daunted → 1841 Eng. dial.
► CHICKEN ONE OUT to dare someone to prove he is not a coward → 1965 Amer. dial.
► CHICKENSHIT to act in a cowardly or otherwise distasteful manner → 1960 sl., orig. US
► COWARDIZE to make a coward of; to daunt → 1648
► CRAYFISH to act in a cowardly or scheming manner → 1930 Aust.
► DINGO to behave in a cowardly or treacherous manner → 1935 Aust.
► DOMINICKER ► DOMMERNECKER to show cowardice or lack of perseverance; to avoid, to evade → 1954 Amer. dial.
► FIND A WHITE FEATHER IN ONE’S TAIL to perceive signs of cowardice → 1825
► FLINK to behave in a cowardly manner; to shirk one’s duty → 1887 Amer. dial.
► FUNK ► FUNK ON to act in a cowardly manner; to flinch or shrink through fear; to back out of something; to surrender in a cowardly fashion → 1746 sl.
► FUNK OUT  to back out in a cowardly manner → 1905 Amer. (Bk.)
► HANG AN ARSE to be cowardly; to hesitate or hold back; to be reluctant or tardy → 1596
► HAVE CRAP IN ONE’S BLOOD to be a coward → 1956 US sl.
► HAVE ONE’S HEART IN A NUTSHELL to act like a coward → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HAVE THE BALLS OF A BUTTERFLY to be cowardly → 1971 US sl.
► HAVE THE BALLS OF A HUMMINGBIRD to be cowardly → 1970 US sl.
► PLAY THE DUCK to show oneself a coward → 17C colloq.
► PLAY THE TINKLER to act as a coward; to run away → 1893 Sc.
► POLTROONIZE IT to act like a poltroon; to play the coward → 1611 obs.
► PUSSYFOOT AROUND to compromise, to act in a cowardly or weak manner → 20C sl.
► PUT ON A DINGO ACT to behave in a cowardly way → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► RAG OUT to behave in a cowardly way; to show the white flag or feather → 1880 sl.
► TURN CHARLIE to turn coward or become frightened → 1880 sl.
► WASH THE MILK OFF ONE’S LIVER to purge oneself of cowardice → 1732 obs.