临阵退缩 lín zhèn tuì suō

DEFINITIONS

  1. to shrink back as the time for battle approaches (idiom)
  2. to get cold feet

CHARACTERS

临 lín
HSK 5
draw near, approach; descend
阵 zhèn
HSK 5
column, row or file of troops
退 tuì
HSK 5
step back, retreat, withdraw
缩 suō
HSK 5
contract, draw in, reduce