shy away

English

Etymology

Verb

shy away (third-person singular simple present shies away, present participle shying away, simple past and past participle shied away)

to draw back in fear, cringe, back down
- O. H. Krill, A Situation Report on Our Acquisition of Advanced Technology and Interaction with Alien Cultures
  They may shy away if witnesses or law officers try to approach.

Related terms

shy away from

Translations

to draw back, cringe

Finnish: paeta (fi), vetäytyä (fi)