worm one's way out of

back down cancel give up renege surrender

avoid back pedal beg off blow it off chicken out cop out get cold feet go back on recant resign scratch shy from throw in the towel weasel out wiggle out worm out

balk dodge duck hedge renege shuck sidestep waffle

beat around the bush circumvent cop out dance around an issue elude equivocate eschew flee get around give the runaround hem and haw lay low pussyfoot put off shirk slip out sneak away tap dance

confront face meet