Meaning

Calling someone "chicken" means they are too scared to do something. The picture comes from the farm: chickens run away from almost everything. Kids say it to dare each other: "Jump in the pool. What are you, chicken?" The verb form is common with adults: to "chicken out" is to decide not to do something at the last minute because you got scared.

Know the register before you use it. "Chicken" said to a person is an insult, even when it is playful. Between close friends daring each other, it is teasing. Said to someone who is honestly afraid, or said in front of other people, it is a way of shaming them, and it can push people into things they do not want to do. It also sounds childish at work. "Chicken out" is safer, especially about yourself: "I chickened out" is honest and a little funny.

In a conversation

HarutoOlivia
  1. Haruto
  2. Olivia
  3. Haruto
  4. Olivia
  5. Haruto
  6. Olivia

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1"I chickened out of the bungee jump." What happened?
2Why did Olivia ask Haruto to stop?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. In "chicken out", the stress moves to "out". Keep "chicken" light and quick.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.