pigeon-livered

I said to my husband, after reading that infamous and slanderous article in the Record, that our men were too pigeon-livered to take that Nigger out and give him what he deserves; and I think it was just such talk from our women in the households that brought about this revolution.

Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly A Story of the Wilmington Massacre. Jack Thorne

I know not whether it is because I am pigeon-livered and lack gall, or whether it is from an overmastering sense of drollery, but I am apt to submit to such bastings with a patience which afterwards surprises me, being not without my share of warmth in the blood.

On a Certain Condescension in Foreigners 1914

It must needs be thou art pigeon-livered and lack gall!

Prose Fancies Richard Le Gallienne 1906

Then he wondered if he had not grown spiritless and pigeon-livered in his solitude and loneliness.

Mr. Jack Hamlin's Mediation Bret Harte 1869

I said to my husband, after reading that infamous and slanderous article in the Record, that our men were too pigeon-livered to take that Nigger out and give him what he deserves; and I think it was just such talk from our women in the households that brought about this revolution.

Hanover; or, The Persecution of the Lowly. Story of the Wilmington Massacre 1863

I might have been provoked to one great execration by what I hear from Bristol, if I had not hex brought up all my bile upon the voyage & remained pigeon-livered ever since. a sea voyage is the best way in the world to learn Xtian meekness. the gall comes out by mouthfuls & you have not bitterness enough left to be angry with a rascal

Letter 147 1796

"Are your senses playing bo-peep with the ghost of some pigeon-livered coast captain, eh?

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 286, December 8, 1827 Various

-- Ah no, not any of it in mine, thank you; soldiers don't obey such pigeon-livered gentlemen. "

The Downfall ��mile Zola 1871