1.
flinching, shrinking back, hesitating
Drawing back out of fear, reluctance, or intimidation. The image is of sitting back on one's heels (尻 = buttocks) to avoid moving forward.
値段を見て尻込みした。
I flinched when I saw the price.
難しそうで尻込みしてしまう。
It looks difficult, so I end up shrinking back.
大勢の前で話すのは緊張するが、尻込みしていては成長できない。
Speaking in front of a large audience is nerve-racking, but you can't grow if you keep shrinking back.
USAGE:
Almost always used as 尻込みする. Implies a physical or psychological drawing back from something intimidating. The compound comes from 尻 (buttocks) + 込む (to go into), evoking the image of sitting back in retreat.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 尻込みする: to flinch, to shrink back
- 尻込みしてしまう: to end up hesitating
- 尻込みせずに: without flinching