gutless

/ˈɡʌtləs/
lacking courage or nerve

He was too gutless to stand up for his beliefs.

He lacked the bravery to defend what he believed in.

◆ What It Really Means
Lacking the inner strength or bravery to face a difficult situation.
Literal Meaning
Without intestines.
Literal Breakdown
gutintestines+-lesswithout
◇ Mental Image
A person whose core strength (guts) is missing, leaving them weak and unable to act.
◈ When to Use
A colleague refuses to report a safety violation because they are afraid of their boss.
◉ Cultural Note
In English, 'guts' is a common metaphor for courage, derived from the idea that the stomach/intestines are the seat of emotion and strength.
informal

lacking courage, determination, or nerve; cowardly

It was a gutless move to quit right before the deadline.

Quitting at the last minute showed a lack of bravery and responsibility.

Often used as an insult to criticize someone's lack of moral strength or bravery.

Collocations

gutless wondera cowardly or ineffective persongutless cowarda person lacking courage

Related Phrases

have gutsphrase
to be brave
gut checkphrase
a test of one's courage or integrity

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'gutless' when you want to emphasize that someone's lack of action is due to fear or weakness, not just caution. It is often used in sports, politics, or personal conflicts.

Gold Rule

Tone Awareness

Avoid using 'gutless' in formal professional settings as it is emotionally charged and insulting. Use 'cautious' or 'hesitant' instead.

Word Origin

From 'guts' (colloquial for courage or inner strength) + suffix '-less' (without). The metaphorical use of 'guts' for courage dates back to the early 20th century.

Usage Notes

This is an informal, somewhat derogatory term. It is stronger than 'timid' and implies a moral failing or weakness of character rather than just shyness.

Word Breakdown

gut
courage, inner strength (metaphorical)
root
+
-less
without
suffix
English Dictionary
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