chicken move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chicken move" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or slang.
It can be used to describe an action that is perceived as cowardly or lacking courage, often in a competitive context. Example: "When he backed out of the challenge at the last minute, everyone called it a chicken move."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

No longer just about fried chicken (and not wanting to be anchored to unhealthy food), Kentucky Fried Chicken moved to KFC.

Forbes

I get it, Grasshopper". After the chicken moves on, one cow says, "Wow". The other chimes in, "Yeah, poultry". The California Milk Advisory Board, which produces the ads, credits the commercials with helping the state close in on Wisconsin, the country's lead- ing cheese producer.

Los Angeles Times

You know, the chicken yard has varying topologies and the chickens move around and all 16,000 are being processed in real time with a single cell processor.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A few weeks later, the chickens move out, and the sheep come in, dining on the lush new growth, as well as on the weed species (nettles, nightshade) that the cattle and chickens won't touch.

The New York Times - Magazine

But in the 1972 concert that became the documentary "Wattstax," Mr. Thomas led thousands in funky-chicken moves.

The New York Times - Arts

The chickens moving down this type of production line have been slaughtered the day before they are portioned – or, at least, that is the theory.

The Guardian - Business

A few years ago, Thomas, his wife, their two sets of twins, an Irish wolfhound, a pony, some rabbits, two cats, and several chickens moved into an old farmhouse in the village of Wistow, in the Vale of York.

The New Yorker

The researchers applied a mathematical technique called optical flow modeling, which has been used to study traffic patterns and human crowds, to track how the chickens moved in large groups.

Science Magazine

McDonald's announced last week that it's removing human antibiotics from its chicken, a move that advocates hope will eventually raise the quality of all meat products, from the processing plant to the restaurant.

Huffington Post

By then, Chicken had moved to the Grant Houses with her mother and her siblings.

The New Yorker

A fourth woman, the one wearing the giant chicken head, moves more rapidly and plays the role of seductress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "chicken move", as it can be seen as informal or critical. Opt for more neutral or descriptive language in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "chicken move" in formal writing or presentations. Its informal tone may undermine your credibility with certain audiences. Instead, choose alternatives that convey the same meaning with greater professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chicken move" functions primarily as a noun phrase describing an action considered cowardly or lacking courage. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where someone avoids a challenge or makes a strategic but seemingly fearful decision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chicken move" is used to describe an act perceived as cowardly or lacking courage, often in a competitive context. Although its grammatical status is acceptable, it is more informal and should be used carefully depending on the audience and context. Ludwig indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific sources, though its overall frequency is rare. Alternatives include ""cowardly act"" and ""timid decision"". As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase's informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cowardly act

Replaces "chicken move" with a more direct term for lacking courage.

timid decision

Emphasizes the lack of boldness in a decision.

strategic retreat

Suggests a deliberate withdrawal to gain an advantage.

tactical maneuver

Highlights the strategic aspect of a shift or change.

prudent relocation

Focuses on the cautious and wise aspect of moving.

shift in strategy

Describes a change in approach or plan.

change of direction

Highlights a new course of action.

repositioning of assets

Focuses on the realignment of resources.

reorganization of resources

Highlights the organizational changes.

defensive posture

Suggests a protective stance in response to a threat.

FAQs

What does "chicken move" mean?

The phrase "chicken move" typically describes an action that is perceived as cowardly or lacking courage, often in a competitive context.

What can I say instead of "chicken move"?

You can use alternatives like "cowardly act", "timid decision", or "strategic retreat" depending on the context.

Is "chicken move" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "chicken move" is generally too informal for formal writing. Opt for more neutral or professional language.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "chicken move"?

The phrase "chicken move" is most appropriate in informal settings, such as casual conversations or less formal writing, where a critical or humorous tone is acceptable.