variants
or nervous Nelly
or Nervous Nellie
or Nervous Nelly
or less commonly nervous nellie
or nervous nelly
plural nervous Nellies or Nervous Nellies also nervous nellies
: a person or animal that tends to be timid or anxious
She is a world-class worrier, a change-avoider and, by her own admission, a bit of a nervous Nellie.—Judith Newman
I love nature and outdoor adventures. Some might call me "outdoorsy." … But the truth is, I am a chicken. A scaredy-cat. A nervous Nelly.—Shelley Dunning
… horses are "Nervous Nellies." As flight animals, horses are always ready to react and get to safety.—Citrus County (Florida) Chronicle
Kids who take risks while they're young tend to be less fearful, more independent adults, and kids who don't take risks end up being nervous nellies.—Charlotte Alter
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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