Differences between chicken out and duck out
Chicken out and duck out are similar in meaning, but there is a subtle difference. Chicken out implies that someone is afraid or lacks courage to do something, while duck out suggests that someone is avoiding a situation or responsibility.
Meanings and Definitions: chicken out vs duck out
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Chicken out
- 1Be too afraid to do something.
I CHICKENED OUT of the bungee jumping when I saw how high it was.
Duck out
- 1To avoid or evade responsibility or obligation, especially in a sneaky or dishonest way.
Yes it's wrong for dads to duck out of paying for their kids.
- 2To leave or exit a place or situation quickly or without being noticed.
You would have thought that a certain event at The Emirates three days earlier was a lesson for those who duck out early.
Usage Examples: chicken out, duck out in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
chicken out
Example
I don't want to chicken out of the speech competition.
Example
She always chickens out when it's time to speak in public.
duck out
Example
I need to duck out of the meeting early to catch my flight.
Example
She always ducks out of doing the dishes.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Chicken out
lose one's nerve
To become too scared or anxious to do something that one had planned or intended to do.
Example
She lost her nerve and didn't go bungee jumping with her friends.
wimp out
To avoid doing something because of fear or lack of courage.
Example
He wimped out of the skydiving trip at the last minute.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Duck out
opt-out
To choose not to participate in something or to remove oneself from a situation or group.
Example
She decided to opt-out of the company's social events since she preferred to spend time with her family.
Differences in chicken out vs duck out: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: chicken out or duck out?
Both phrases are commonly used in spoken English, but chicken out is more frequently used than duck out.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of chicken out and duck out
Both chicken out and duck out are informal phrases and are not suitable for formal contexts.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of chicken out and duck out
The tone of chicken out is often negative, implying that someone is weak or cowardly. On the other hand, duck out can have a neutral or even positive tone, suggesting that someone is being smart by avoiding an unpleasant situation.
