SHRINK

(BE FRIGHTENED) [verb] [I usually + adverb or preposition] [past simple] [UK and ANZ] shrank or [esp. US] shrunk, [past participle] shrunk or US also shrunken literary - to move away (from someone or something) because you are frightenedThe child shrank behind the sofa as his father shouted at him.She shrank at his touch.When she was younger she would shrink (away) from me whenever I spoke to her.If you shrink from something, you avoid it because you think it is unpleasant or difficult.We must not shrink from our responsibilities.The president has said that she will not shrink from increasing taxes if such a move were to become necessary. [T](informal) A shrinking violet is a person who is very shy or modest and does not like to attract attention.She loves appearing on television and is no shrinking violet when it comes to expressing herviews.