什么是 “Chicken Out”?
“Chicken out” 是一个常见的英语习语(idiom),意思是因害怕或缺乏勇气而放弃做某事,通常指在最后一刻临阵退缩。
这个词组带有轻微的贬义,常用于口语中。
词源小知识
“Chicken” 在英语俚语中可表示“胆小鬼”(coward),因此 “chicken out” 字面意思就是“像小鸡一样退缩”。
该用法最早出现在20世纪中期的美国英语中,如今已广泛使用于英美国家。
常见用法与结构
- 主语 + chicken out (of something):表示某人因害怕而退出某个计划或活动。
- 通常用于一般过去时(chickened out)或现在完成时(has/have chickened out)。
- 不能用于被动语态。
实用例句
He was going to ask her out, but he chickened out at the last minute.
We were supposed to go skydiving, but Sarah chickened out.
Don’t chicken out now — you’ve come this far!
常见误区
❌ 错误:He was chickened out.
✅ 正确:He chickened out.
(“Chicken out” 是不及物动词短语,没有被动语态)
✅ 正确:He chickened out.
(“Chicken out” 是不及物动词短语,没有被动语态)
❌ 错误:She is chicken out.
✅ 正确:She is going to chicken out. / She chickens out easily.
(需注意时态和动词形式)
✅ 正确:She is going to chicken out. / She chickens out easily.
(需注意时态和动词形式)
近义表达
- Back out:退出(承诺、协议等)
- Bail out:突然退出(非正式)
- Lose one’s nerve:失去勇气