cringe away from (someone or something)
To move away from someone or something, usually out of fear. I cringed away from the snake and prayed that it wouldn't see me.
cringe before (someone or something)
To shrink away from someone or something, usually out of fear. I cringed before my dad when he caught me sneaking in after curfew.
cringe away from someone or something
and cringe from someone or somethingto pull back or away from someone or something, as from fear. The child cringed away from the teacher. Why did you cringe away from the dentist's chair? The cat cringed from the fire. The child cringed from the huge dog.
cringe before someone or something
to cower or recoil in the presence of someone or something. Jeff cringed before the wrath of the policeman.