mindmap root((退缩)) recoil implies a start of a movement away prompted by shock, fear, or disgust: ~s at the sight of blood. shrink suggests an instinctive recoiling through sensitivities, scrupulousness, or cowardice: refused to ~ from responsibilities. cowardice胆怯语气比fear害怕重，因此shrink语气比recoil重 flinch implies a failure to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution: faced her accusers without ~ling. wince suggests a slight involuntary physical recoiling from what pains, frightens, or disgusts: ~d when the new secretary called him by his first name. blench implies fainthearted, fearful flinching: never ~ed even as his head was lowered on the guillotine. 3个f （fainthearted胆小的胆怯的not confident, not taking strong actions, because being afraid of failing，如this is no time to be faint-hearted现在不是怯懦的时候，词组not for the faint-hearted表示不适合怯懦的人applies to something that is unusual or extreme, and is not suitable for people who like only safe and familiar things，如it's a film about a serial killer and not for the faint-hearted这部电影是讲连环杀手，不适合胆小的人看） quail suggests a shrinking and cowering in fear: ~ed at the fury of the storm.