show the white feather

Display cowardice, as in The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down. This expression comes from cockfighting, where a white feather in a bird's tail is considered a sign of inferior breeding. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

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On the other hand, they frequently win, and it would be foolish to show the white feather until he knows a little more about the hands of his adversaries.

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The Iron Boy, however, possessed too much grit to show the white feather.

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This isn't the time to show the white feather.

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He could not, therefore, afford to show the white feather, and though he hesitated, it was not for long.

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Would you have me show the white feather now, when so many have been kidnapped?

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show the way show-through

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