Sophie Bennett
To be called chicken-hearted is to be insulted for one's cowardice or fearfulness. The idiom, which became popular in the late 17th century, is derived from the word chicken, which is used to describe someone who is scared or reluctant to do something because they are fearful. While it is usually used as an insult, chicken-hearted can also be used in playful banter between friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cowardly | ✅ |
| Timid | ✅ |
| Fearful | ✅ |
| Weak | ✅ |
| Reluctant | ✅ |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken-hearted as an insult
The idiom "chicken-hearted" refers to a person who is easily scared or cowardly. It is typically used as an insult, though it can also be used in a friendly manner when teasing someone. The phrase implies that the individual is timid, fearful, or reluctant to act due to their fear.
The expression "chicken-hearted" has been used in various contexts to describe individuals who lack courage or are hesitant to speak up or take action. For example, it has been used to characterise someone who is "too chicken-hearted to defend their beliefs in public" or "too chicken-hearted to accompany me in this perilous undertaking." In these instances, the idiom conveys a sense of weakness or lack of bravery.
The word "chicken" has long been associated with cowardice in English, and it is often used in idiomatic expressions such as "chicken out of something." The use of "chicken" in this context may stem from the perception of chickens as timid or easily frightened creatures.
"Chicken-hearted" is considered an insult because it implies that an individual lacks courage and is dominated by fear. This negative connotation suggests that the person is unable or unwilling to face challenges or stand up for their values. Such an implication can be detrimental to one's reputation or self-esteem.
While "chicken-hearted" is commonly used as an insult, it is important to recognise that fear and hesitation are natural human emotions. Labelling someone as "chicken-hearted" may oversimplify their complex emotions or circumstances. Therefore, while the idiom serves as a colourful expression in the English language, it should be used with caution to avoid causing unnecessary offence or undermining an individual's experiences.
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Friendly banter
So, you want to know how to use "chicken-hearted" in friendly banter? Well, let's first establish what it means to be chicken-hearted. The term is used to describe someone who is easily scared, timid, or cowardly. It's an insult, but a mild one, and it can be used in a playful or teasing way, especially between friends.
Now, let's imagine some scenarios where you might use the phrase in friendly banter.
Scenario 1: Encouraging a Friend to Take a Risk
Without "chicken-hearted"
You: "Hey, I heard you're thinking of asking your boss for a raise. That's great! Go for it!"
Them: "I don't know... It's a bit scary. What if they say no?"
You: "You won't know until you try! It's a reasonable request, and you've been killing it at work lately."
With "chicken-hearted"
You: "Don't be chicken-hearted! You know you deserve that raise. Your boss will probably be impressed by your initiative."
Them: "Yeah, I guess I'm overthinking it. I'll do it! Thanks for the encouragement."
Scenario 2: Persuading a Friend to Face Their Fears
Without "chicken-hearted"
Them: "I really want to go skydiving, but I'm terrified of heights."
You: "It's completely normal to be scared. Skydiving is a big step! But if you want to do it, I say go for it. I'll even come with you if you want."
With "chicken-hearted"
Them: "I wish I could bungee jump, but I'm too chicken-hearted to even consider it."
You: "Don't let your fears hold you back! I know you, and I know that deep down, you're not chicken-hearted. If anyone can overcome their fear of heights, it's you."
Them: "Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm still scared, but now I feel more determined to give it a try."
Scenario 3: Lighthearted Teasing
At a picnic
You: "Hey, there's a huge bee flying around the picnic table! Everyone, scatter!"
Your friend: "Oh, don't be silly. It's just a bee. They're more scared of us than we are of them."
The bee starts buzzing around your friend, who jumps up and runs away, flailing their arms.
You: "Hah! I've never seen anyone so chicken-hearted about a tiny bee! That was quite a dance you did there."
Your friend: "Very funny. You try keeping your cool when you're being dive-bombed by a giant, striped monster!"
In these examples, "chicken-hearted" is used in a lighthearted and good-natured way. The key to using it in friendly banter is to ensure that the person you're speaking to knows that you don't genuinely think they're cowardly. It's all about delivering the phrase with a playful tone and perhaps even self-deprecating humor, so your friend knows that you're not being serious or judgmental.
So, go ahead and use "chicken-hearted" with your friends, but always be mindful of the context and your relationship with the person you're speaking to.
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Cowardly and fearful
To be "chicken-hearted" means to be cowardly and fearful. This idiom, which came into use in 1629, describes a person who is timid, easily scared, or reluctant to do something because they are fearful. It is often used as an insult, but can also be used in playful banter between friends.
The word "chicken" has long been used in English to describe someone who is scared or reluctant. For example, someone might "chicken out" of doing something. As a noun, "chicken" was first used in a Shakespeare play in 1600, and the verb form emerged in the early 20th century.
"Chicken-hearted" is often used to describe people who are cowardly or fearful in the face of a challenge or danger. For example, someone might be called "chicken-hearted" if they are too scared to speak up, defend their beliefs, or take a risk. It can also be used to describe people who are timid or easily scared in general, such as a person who is "chicken-hearted" about trying new things or going on adventures.
In addition to "cowardly" and "fearful," other synonyms of "chicken-hearted" include timid, gutless, spineless, dastardly, craven, lily-livered, and milksop.
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Synonyms
To be "chicken-hearted" is to be timid, fearful, or cowardly. The phrase is used to refer to a person who is easily scared or reluctant to do something because they are fearful. It is often used as an insult, although it can also be used in a friendly manner when teasing someone.
- Timid
- Cowardly
- Chicken-livered
- Craven
- Dastardly
- Gutless
- Lily-livered
- Milk-livered (archaic)
- Poltroon
- Pusillanimous
- Recreant
- Spineless
- Unheroic
- Yellow
- Faint-hearted
- Faint of heart
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Origin and history
The idiom "chicken-hearted" refers to someone who is cowardly or easily scared. It is often used as an insult, but it can also be used in playful banter between friends. The phrase was first used in the late 17th century, specifically in 1629, although there is little information about its first use in print. The word "chicken" has an idiomatic meaning in English, which describes a person who is scared or reluctant to do something because they are fearful. This idiomatic noun form of "chicken" was first used in Shakespeare's play "Kempe's Nine Days' Wonder", written in 1600. The word "chicken" is also used in several other English idioms and phrases, such as "to chicken out of something" and "to chicken out on someone". The word "chicken-hearted" has a negative connotation because it implies that the person is a coward.
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Frequently asked questions
To be chicken-hearted means to be cowardly, timid, or fearful.
The phrase was first used in the early 17th century, and it refers to the idea of being “faint-hearted” or "weak of heart." The word "chicken" has an idiomatic meaning in English that describes someone who is scared or reluctant to do something due to fear.
"Chicken-hearted" is typically used as an insult to describe someone who is easily scared or cowardly. However, it can also be used in a lighthearted or playful manner between friends as teasing or banter.
Sure! Here are some examples:
- "I knew he was too chicken-hearted to climb up there with me."
- "Their chicken-hearted response to the threats is a warning to everyone who works in the arts that controversy is best avoided."
- "Managers are blaming referees because they are chicken-hearted and won't openly blame their players."
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