gutless wonder

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gutless wonder (plural gutless wonders)

  1. (slang, derogatory, idiomatic) One who lacks guts or courage; a coward.
    • 1993, Archie Weller, Going Home: [1]
      Yer can't even fight unless you've got a knife or picket or broken bottle, yer gutless wonder.

Usage notes[edit]

The idea is that the addressee's figurative gutlessness (cowardice) has been carried over into physical gutlessness (disembowelment), and that his bowel-less survival is a wonder.