quailing
verb (present participle)UK /ˈkweɪlɪŋ/
US /ˈkweɪlɪŋ/
Feeling very scared and wanting to hide or give up.
The little bird was quailing in the corner when the loud thunder boomed.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Losing your courage or confidence in the face of something difficult.
She never thought about quailing before the big test.
3. Shrinking back from danger or a hard task.
The soldiers stood firm, quailing at nothing.
4. Showing fear by shaking or flinching.
His quailing voice gave away how nervous he was.