Fight Shy (To).

To avoid. A shy person is unwilling to come forward, and to fight is to resist, to struggle in a contest. To “fight shy,” therefore, is to resist being brought into contest or conflict.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Fifteen decisive Battles (The)
Fifth-Monarchy Men
Fig
Fig
Fig Sunday
Fig-tree
Figs
Figged out
Figaro
Fight
Fight Shy (To)
Fighting-cocks
Fighting Fifth (The)
Fighting Kings [Chen-kuo]
Fighting Prelate
Fighting the Tiger
Fighting with Gloves on
Figure
Figure
Figure-head
Figure of Fun (A)