fight shy

THESAURUS

fight shy

avoid, blench, boggle, demur, falter, fight shy of, flinch, give place to, hang back, hang off, have qualms, hesitate, hold aloof, hold off, jib, jump, jump a mile, keep aloof, keep away from, keep clear of, keep from, keep hands off, keep remote from, let alone, make bones about, make way for, not meddle with, not touch, panic, pause, pull back, quail, recoil, scruple, shrink, shun, shy, shy at, skedaddle, stampede, stand aloof, start, start aside, startle, stay detached from, steer clear of, stick at, stickle, strain, turn away from, waver, wince

ROGET THESAURUS

fight shy

Cowardice

VB quail, be cowardly, be a coward, funk, cower, skulk, sneak, flinch, shy, fight shy, slink, turn tail, run away, show, the white feather.