bottle out

English

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

bottle out (third-person singular simple present bottles out, present participle bottling out, simple past and past participle bottled out)

1. (UK, informal) To fail to perform a promised or planned action due to lack of courage or nerve; to run away or back down from a contest or challenge.

   Synonyms: bottle it, lose one's nerve, get cold feet

   I had really wanted to dive off the 10-metre platform, but in the end I bottled out.

Translations

to fail to perform a promised or planned action due to lack of courage or nerve

• French: craquer (fr), se dégonfler (fr)

See also

• chicken out