English

Noun

gutless wonder ‎(plural gutless wonders)

1. (slang, derogatory, idiomatic) One who lacks guts or courage; a coward.
   • 1993, Archie Weller, Going Home:

     Yer can't even fight unless you've got a knife or picket or broken bottle, yer gutless wonder.

Usage notes

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.

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:coward