to run away as soon as one catches a glimpse of the enemy or senses their momentum; to flee in panic at the mere sight of an opponent

literally meaning grass and trees bending in the wind; used to describe an army losing its will to fight and fleeing or collapsing in the face of an enemy's overwhelming momentum

To surrender as soon as one catches sight of the enemy's presence or power; to give up without a fight at the mere rumor of someone's approach.

literally "chasing the wind and clutching at shadows"; to make groundless accusations or act based on rumor and pure guesswork rather than evidence

To go on a wild-goose chase or search without direction based on unreliable rumors or groundless information