臨陣退縮

临阵退缩
línzhèntuìsuō
  1. to shrink back as the time for battle approaches (idiom)
  2. to get cold feet

CEDICT

Entry Composition

1 臨陣 línzhèn
  1. just before the battle
  2. to approach the front line
2 退縮 tuìsuō to shrink back; to cower