hang back

Do not shrink, and suspect, and hang back from what it may involve, with selfish and unconfiding and ungenerous half-heartedness.

You may know the wicked, on the other hand, by their extreme shyness; they crawl out slowly and fearfully; they hang back.

When the horse found that he could not hang back, he bolted.

If you hang back, we will raise such a 'larum about your ears that you shan't know that your wife's your own for a month to come!'

I did my duty after a fashion—I didn't skulk or hang back from danger—but I didn't do it cheerfully.

I confess also that I hang back from certain things which are pressing nearer with their claim for record.

Always there are timid patients who hang back and refuse to drink the medicines.

If there was any doubt or hazard, he took the tools himself, and wrought until they were ashamed to hang back.

He does not make immediate answer, but seems to ponder over, or hang back upon it.

As Ned was going out, Frank signalled him to hang back a little.