臆おく病びょう風かぜに吹ふかれる

expression, ichidan verb

get cold feet; chicken out; lose one's nerve

Idiomatic expression meaning to suddenly become scared or lose courage, often when facing a challenge. The image is of being blown by a 'cowardice wind'.

• 本ほん番ばん前まえに臆おく病びょう風かぜに吹ふかれて、何なにもできなかった。

  I got cold feet before the performance and couldn't do anything.

• 彼かれは臆おく病びょう風かぜに吹ふかれて、告こく白はくできなかった。

  He chickened out and couldn't confess his feelings.