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Phrase(s): with one’s tail between one’s legs
Fig. appearing frightened or cowardly. (Fig. on the image of a frightened or defeated dog going off threatened or humiliated.) • John seems to lack courage. When people criticize him unjustly, he just goes away with his tail between his legs and doesn’t tell them that they’re wrong. • The frightened dog ran away with its tail between its legs when the bigger dog growled.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs