show the white feather
English edit
Etymology edit
A white feather in the tail of a cock was considered an indication that he was not of the true game breed.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (US) (file)
Verb edit
show the white feather (third-person singular simple present shows the white feather, present participle showing the white feather, simple past showed the white feather, past participle shown the white feather or (US also) showed the white feather)
- To show cowardice.