cowardly move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cowardly move" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an action or decision that someone has taken which is motivated by fear and lacking in courage. For example, "It was a cowardly move for him to abandon his team when the going got tough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

| Updated Lang said: "It was a pretty cowardly move.

The New York Times

This is not a cowardly move if your job is to make strategic decisions that can affect the fate of the galaxy.

The Washington Post

The cowardly move by the Justice Department to subpoena two months of the A.P.'s phone records, both of its office lines and of the home phones of individual reporters, is potentially a breach of the Justice Department's own guidelines.

The New Yorker

For Mordaunt to blame concerns over Unesco's finances instead is not only to take the public for fools but also a surprisingly cowardly move for a minister who is usually willing to speak her mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

By Lynn Oberlander May 14, 2013 The cowardly move by the Justice Department to subpoena two months of the A.P.'s phone records, both of its office lines and of the home phones of individual reporters, is potentially a breach of the Justice Department's own guidelines.

The New Yorker

Removing the article was an incredibly cowardly move, and not in the spirit of professional journalism.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The people of Liverpool will be disgusted by these cowardly moves to hide the truth.

BBC

The "spines" will include cardboard signs, cut-outs and plastic skeleton spines ― a tongue-in-cheek dig at what they perceive to be cowardly moves by Schumer.

HuffPost

In a statement after Christie sent the bill back to the legislature, Hockley and Barden said that Christie's refusal to meet with them was a "cowardly political move".

Huffington Post

Robert Shetterly, president of the Union of Maine Visual Artists, called it "an exceptionally cowardly act" to move it over the weekend when no one would notice.

The New York Times

It's just one in a long line of cowardly and slimy moves by Ryan, who is really just Trump in a more aesthetically appealing wrapper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cowardly move" to express disapproval or criticism of an action that avoids confrontation or risk. Be mindful of the context and ensure it accurately reflects the intent behind the action you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "cowardly move" simply to describe an unpopular decision. The phrase specifically implies that the action was driven by fear or a lack of courage, not just disagreement or dislike.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cowardly move" functions primarily as a noun phrase, with "cowardly" modifying the noun "move". It serves to describe a specific action or decision, as Ludwig AI points out, highlighting its perceived lack of courage or fortitude.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cowardly move" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an action or decision motivated by fear or a lack of courage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, reflecting its role in expressing disapproval or criticism. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the described action is truly driven by cowardice rather than simple disagreement. If you're seeking alternative ways to express this concept, consider phrases like "dastardly move" or "gutless move".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dastardly move

Replaces "cowardly" with "dastardly", implying a more malicious intent behind the action.

gutless move

Substitutes "cowardly" with "gutless", emphasizing a lack of bravery or resolve.

ignoble move

Uses "ignoble" instead of "cowardly", highlighting the dishonorable nature of the action.

shameful move

Replaces "cowardly" with "shameful", focusing on the disgracefulness of the action.

despicable move

Employs "despicable" instead of "cowardly", indicating a strong feeling of contempt or disgust.

craven act

Uses "craven act" to replace "cowardly move", which implies extreme cowardice or lack of courage.

chicken move

Replaces "cowardly" with the informal "chicken", suggesting timidity or fear.

weak decision

Replaces "cowardly move" with "weak decision", focusing on the lack of strength or conviction in the choice.

pusillanimous action

Replaces "cowardly move" with "pusillanimous action", denoting a lack of courage or resolution.

fainthearted maneuver

Uses "fainthearted maneuver" instead of "cowardly move", which characterizes a timorous, fearful approach.

FAQs

What does "cowardly move" mean?

A "cowardly move" describes an action or decision motivated by fear or a lack of courage. It suggests that someone avoided confrontation or risk due to timidity.

What can I say instead of "cowardly move"?

You can use alternatives like "dastardly move", "gutless move", or "ignoble move" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cowardly move" a formal or informal expression?

"Cowardly move" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "pusillanimous action" exist for academic or professional usage.

How to use "cowardly move" in a sentence?

You can use "cowardly move" to criticize a decision or action that you perceive as lacking courage. For example, "It was a cowardly move to back out of the agreement at the last minute."