shrink away
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
But Tommy was bashful, and the attention he had thus drawn upon himself made him blush. He was a timid lad and he shrank away now, evidently fearing Shell.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shrink away” mean?
To draw back in fear; cringe, back down, shy away.
Is “shrink away” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.