chicken out

US /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn aʊt/
UK /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn aʊt/
"chicken out" picture
1.

faire marche arrière, se dégonfler, avoir la frousse

to decide not to do something because you are too frightened

:
I was going to try bungee jumping, but I chickened out at the last minute.
J'allais essayer le saut à l'élastique, mais j'ai fait marche arrière à la dernière minute.
He was going to ask her out, but he chickened out.
Il allait l'inviter à sortir, mais il a fait marche arrière.