闻风而逃
wén​fēng'ér​táo

to flee at the first hint of trouble

  1. 闻风 聞風 wén​fēng
    to get wind of something
    to hear news or a rumor about something; to catch wind of an event or situation
  2. 而 ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  3. 逃 táo verb
    to escape
    To run away or flee from a person, place, or dangerous situation.