I need to find an expression, idiom, or image to say: "They backed off from the deal before it even started."
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Please clarify your specific problem or provide additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it's hard to tell exactly what you're asking.– Community BotCommented Mar 8, 2022 at 20:12
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1You mean besides something like "renege"?– MarcInManhattanCommented Mar 8, 2022 at 20:23
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The idea is to start a pleading with an catchy phrase that basically says: " Mr. X back off the deal, before it even started" But in a more catchy way. Hope that clarifies it a little bit– KNDCommented Mar 8, 2022 at 21:08
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You need to explain more carefully what you are trying to accomplish by the term you are seeking. Why is 'backed off from the deal before it even started' not catchy enough for that purpose? Asking for a catchy term, without further explanation, creates a risk that the question will be interpreted as opinion-based, which would put it outside the scope of this site.– jsw29Commented Mar 8, 2022 at 21:24
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Did they change their mind? Were they being deceitful and never intended to enter the deal? Were they cowardly? Did they realise the deal was immoral and listen to their conscience? Were they pressured to renege?– Stuart FCommented Mar 9, 2022 at 8:44
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1 Answer
You don't specify the reason(s) that someone backs off from a deal before it is finalized, but one way of summing reasons up is to say that they (get) cold feet.
cold feet
Apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action m-w
Loss of nerve or confidence.
Hels's flat sale has fallen through - the purchaser was intending to buy-to-let and has got cold feet over the interest rates. Lexico
Or if you suspect someone could get cold feet at the last moment, you might pledge to discuss ways to save the deal before walking away from the negotiating table. David Hames; Closing Deals, Settling Disputes, and Making Team Decisions (2011)
Beware of virgin angels. Experienced angels make funding decisions quicker and with fewer surprises. Virgin angels may back out when they get cold feet. Stephen Harper; Extraordinary Entrepreneurship (2006)
So, the project went on as planned, and for a while Tina thought she was immune from deportation. As time when on, the other party became more and more worried about the ever-increasing and rigorous ID investigations that he got cold fee and bailed out. So, the deal was off. Min-Hwa Kennard; From Sea to Sea (2021)
His dream popped quickly. The economy began to slow, and the investors he had been working with started to get cold feet. Rick Newman; Rebounders (2012)
