white feather
C1formal, dated, idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
A sign or display of cowardice.
Primarily used in the idiom 'to show the white feather' meaning to act in a cowardly manner. Historically refers to a white feather in the tail of a gamecock, which was considered a sign of inferior breeding and poor fighting spirit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the fixed idiom. The phrase carries a strong judgmental and moralistic tone, implying a failure of courage or duty. It is now somewhat old-fashioned but remains understood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom originated and is more historically prevalent in British English. It is recognized but less commonly used in contemporary American English.
Connotations
In UK history, it carries strong connotations from WWI, when women would give white feathers to men not in uniform to shame them as cowards. This historical context is less immediate in the US.
Frequency
Low frequency in modern use in both varieties, but more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] showed the white feather.[Subject] was accused of showing the white feather.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “show the white feather”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Potentially used metaphorically in high-stakes criticism: 'The board showed the white feather on the merger.'
Academic
Used in historical or literary analysis, particularly regarding WWI and societal pressure.
Everyday
Very rare in casual modern conversation. Might be used by older generations or self-consciously for effect.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He refused to show the white feather, even under intense pressure.
- The old colonel claimed the new recruits would never white-feather in battle.
American English
- (Less common) In the story, the villain showed the white feather when confronted.
- (Rare/archaic) They accused him of white-feathering during the crisis.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard) The white-feather attitude of the committee was disappointing.
American English
- (Not standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not typically taught at this level)
- In the old book, the soldier was brave and did not show the white feather.
- Despite the rumours, the young officer was determined not to show the white feather in front of his men.
- The historical film depicted women handing out white feathers to men in civilian clothes.
- The journalist wrote a scathing article, accusing the government of showing the white feather in the face of diplomatic aggression.
- The phrase 'to show the white feather' derives from cockfighting and carries a heavy burden of historical shaming.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a proud, colourful fighting rooster. A single WHITE FEATHER in its tail marks it as a coward. See the white, think 'flight' (not fight).
Conceptual Metaphor
COWARDICE IS A PHYSICAL BLEMISH / COWARDICE IS A LACK OF COLOUR (VIBRANCY, SPIRIT).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'белое перо'. This is not an idiom in Russian and would be confusing.
- The concept is similar to the Russian 'струсить' or 'проявить трусость'.
- The historical context of the white feather campaign has no direct Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a simple noun phrase (e.g., 'He is a white feather.') instead of in the idiomatic verb phrase.
- Confusing it with 'white flag' (surrender). While related, 'white feather' is specifically about personal cowardice, not formal surrender.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the idiom 'to show the white feather'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from cockfighting, where a gamecock with a white tail feather was believed to be of inferior breeding and less aggressive.
No, it is considered quite old-fashioned and formal. It is more likely to be found in historical writing or used deliberately for a dramatic, judgemental effect.
During WWI, some women in the UK gave white feathers to men not in military uniform, publicly shaming them as cowards and accusing them of not serving their country. This gave the idiom a powerful and specific social context.
No, this is incorrect. The standard use is almost exclusively in the verbal idiom 'to show the white feather'. Using it as a standalone noun is not standard English.