turn-tail

This he resented, and when she stood shoulder to shoulder with him, bristling and showing her teeth, the aspiring solitary ones would back off, turn-tail, and continue on their lonely way.

The Battle of the Fangs 2010

Bring the turn-tail bait back with a steady retrieve, holding the rod tip low.

Catch Giant Pike and Muskies in Super Shallow Water 2006

This he resented, and when she stood shoulder to shoulder with him, bristling and showing her teeth, the aspiring solitary ones would back off, turn-tail, and continue on their lonely way.

White Fang Jack London 1896

Yet again, we were told that if dropped the D-bomb Marc would turn-tail and walk away.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

He’d been left by his turn-tail colleagues, a French consul among the Timucuas, who fed him and took care of him like a pet chicken.

Dream State Diane Roberts 2008

They call the natives of that country "colts"; 1 so Lord Peter of Avalon sent me word that I must defend myself against those who called me a '` colt "; and I told them: I would rather be a colt than a turn-tail hack such as they were.

The Memoirs of the Lord of Joinville 1906