faint-heart
Definition
- Noun:
- A timid or cowardly person: "faint-heart" refers to an individual who lacks courage or confidence, often avoiding risks or challenges due to fear.
- A person who is easily discouraged: This meaning emphasizes a tendency to give up or retreat when faced with difficulty or adversity.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He was called a faint-heart for refusing to join the expedition. (He was labelled a coward for not participating.)
- Only a faint-heart would abandon the project at the first sign of trouble. (Only a timid person would quit so easily.)
Advanced Usage
"to play the faint-heart": to act in a cowardly or overly cautious manner.
- Don't play the faint-heart now; we need your full support. (Do not behave timidly at this crucial moment.)
"faint-heart never won fair lady": a proverb meaning that timid or hesitant people rarely achieve desirable outcomes (often used in romantic or competitive contexts).
- He finally asked her out, remembering that faint-heart never won fair lady. (He overcame his fear to pursue her.)
Variants and Related Words
Faint-hearted (adj): lacking courage; timid.
- The faint-hearted soldier hesitated before the battle. (The timid soldier showed fear.)
Faint-heartedness (n): the quality or state of being timid or cowardly.
- His faint-heartedness prevented him from taking the necessary risks. (His timidity held him back.)
Synonyms
- Coward: a person who lacks the courage to face danger or pain.
- Timid person: someone who is shy and easily frightened.
- Milksop: a weak or ineffectual person (archaic or informal).
Related Idioms
"Faint of heart": a phrase similar in meaning, referring to people who are easily scared or discouraged.
- This roller coaster is not for the faint of heart. (It is too intense for timid people.)
"To have a faint heart": to be easily frightened or lacking in resolve.
- She had a faint heart and could not speak in public. (She was too timid to address an audience.)