| 1. | a symbol of cowardice. |
| 2. | show the white feather, to behave in a cowardly manner. |
| white feather n. A sign of cowardice. [From the belief that a gamecock with a white feather in its tail was a poor fighter.] |
show the white feather
Display cowardice, as in The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down. This expression comes from cockfighting, where a white feather in a bird's tail is considered a sign of inferior breeding. [Early 1800s]