chicken out
US /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn aʊt/
UK /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn aʊt/

1.
tirarsi indietro, avere paura, fare marcia indietro
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.
Stavo per provare il bungee jumping, ma ho tirato indietro all'ultimo minuto.
•
He was going to ask her out, but he chickened out.
Stava per chiederle di uscire, ma ha tirato indietro.