People who act tough but are actually spineless display these 12 behaviors

Their tough exterior hides a notable lack of spine.

A man with a beard, wearing a scarf and button-up shirt, stands against a dark background. His expression appears intense with a red and blue light effect, creating a blurred double-exposure of his profile.

There are a lot of people who put on the pretense of toughness, only to prove that they’re actually spineless whelps when push comes to shove. The behaviors listed here are surefire signs that the person who’s acting like a Pitbull is actually a Chihuahua.

1. Their actions don’t match their words.

A man in a blue shirt angrily leans out of the driver's seat window of a car with a frustrated expression, shaking his fist. The background is blurred, indicating an outdoor setting.

Countless people have asserted that they would have “punched a Nazi” during WWII, but they won’t confront their boss if their coworker gets yelled at for something they didn’t do. Similarly, they may boast about spending the weekend at the gym or axe-throwing range, but in reality, they’ll be watching cartoons in their PJs.

2. They crumble at the first sign of conflict.

A man with a beard, short hair, and ear gauges is looking down. He is wearing a light gray T-shirt and standing outdoors on a green grassy area, with trees visible in the blurred background. The lighting suggests it's a calm, possibly cloudy day.

Instead of standing their ground and remaining strong and stoic when conflict arises, they’ll immediately turn to fawning, people-pleasing behavior. Many will agree to just about anything if it means that they’ll stop feeling uncomfortable, and they won’t have to deal with someone being mean to them.

3. They can’t handle pain.

A person holds their foot, showing a red, inflamed area near the big toe. They appear in discomfort, suggesting pain or possible gout. The background is bright and neutral.

You might have heard them talk about their MMA training, or how they would have kicked someone’s backside for trash-talking them, but when they get injured, they curl up in a ball and cry like a toddler. They might even faint at the sight of blood or get over dramatic about a tiny cut.

4. They bully those who are smaller than themselves, but show their bellies to more powerful people.

A close-up of a woman covering her ears with her hands, looking distressed and facing away. Behind her, a man is shouting aggressively, with his mouth wide open. Both are indoors with a neutral background. The scene conveys a sense of conflict and emotional distress.

These folks will grovel toward their employer or someone they perceive as more powerful than themselves, but will then pick on their awkward coworkers, or go home and terrorize their spouse and children. Essentially, they’re only tough toward those who are too weak or incapable of fighting back.

5. They are fatalistic.

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Most of us remember the “game over, man!” guy from Aliens in which the supposed tough guy freaked out when he realized the seriousness of the situation they had gotten into. Those who act tough but are actually spineless often panic and go off the rails when the brown stuff hits the fan.

6. They sulk and insist that their behavior is “just a joke” when confronted.

A woman with long red hair, wearing a light purple top and white pants, sits on a gray couch raising her hands defensively while talking to a man with a beard, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, who is extending his hand towards her. They appear to be in a heated discussion.

Some supposedly tough people like to antagonize others for their own amusement, but when they’re confronted about their poor behavior, they insist that they’re just joking, it’s not a big deal, they didn’t know they were doing wrong, and so on. It’s very childish behavior that’s more common in prepubescents, not grown adults.

7. They act aggressively to make up for their insecurity.

Two men having a serious conversation outside a storage unit filled with boxes. The man on the right gestures with his hands, wearing a plaid shirt, while the man on the left listens, dressed in a gray sweatshirt and blue overalls.

Those who puff out their chests and yell in other people’s faces to show how strong they are often do so because they feel very small and insignificant. It’s a bit like how some prey animals puff themselves up intimidatingly to avoid being fed upon by predators.

8. They lie about prior acts of bravery or nobility.

Three men are in a gym. One is wearing boxing gloves and a sleeveless shirt; the other two are casually dressed. They are standing near workout equipment and appear to be having a friendly conversation.

They might boast about saving a family from a burning car, but friends know they were on vacation elsewhere when that supposedly happened. Similarly, they might claim that their scars are fight wounds from protecting someone from harm, when in fact they just fell through a glass table while they were high.

9. They panic and go on the attack if they feel that they’re losing ground.

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Many people who act tough do so because they’re terribly fearful, insecure people. As such, if they feel that their facade is slipping and they’re losing ground with those around them as far as leadership or reverence go, they might get belligerent or aggressive in an attempt to re-establish dominance.

10. They micromanage and control others.

A woman sits pensively on a couch, resting her chin on her hand, appearing upset. A man sits nearby, gesturing with one hand, seemingly talking to her. The room is softly lit, with shelves and decor in the background.

Those who are fully aware that they have little to no control over themselves end up trying to control others by any means possible. They’ll micromanage their peers and get controlling with their partner and children, as though controlling them will make up for their own lack of self-discipline and emotional maelstroms.

11. They promise grandiose gestures but fail to show up for smaller ones.

A man with a beard and a woman wearing glasses and a hat sit at a table in a cozy cafe, each holding a cup of coffee. They are engaged in a lively conversation, surrounded by warm lighting and a blurred background.

There are a lot of people out there who swear to their partner that they’d take a bullet for them, but who won’t defend them if their parents are treating them poorly. Similarly, they may boast about how strong and capable they are, but they can’t even do small tasks without asking for help.

12. They have selective courage.

A man in a black suit and tie stands against a plain, light gray background. He appears to be yelling with his mouth wide open, eyebrows raised, and arms raised with fingers spread out, conveying a strong emotion, possibly frustration or anger.

They only show real bravery when there’s little to no personal risk involved. For example, they may bluster and yell at a bunch of 10-year-old kids to scatter them, but they’d back away from a similar group of older teens or adults if they felt any real harm could come to them.