cold feet

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a loss or lack of courage or confidence; an onset of uncertainty or fear.

   She got cold feet when asked to sing a solo.

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cold feet British  

plural noun

1. informal loss or lack of courage or confidence

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cold feet Cultural  

1. To “have cold feet” is to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action: “The backup quarterback was called into the game, but he got cold feet and refused to go in.”

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Etymology

Origin of cold feet

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The Cold Feet actor even give Widow Twankey a kiss and a box of chocolates.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2023

No Cold Feet, which is based in Chicago, specializes in men’s wedding socks and labels.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2018

Cold Feet, of all shows, shocked, in the third episode of its fifth series, broadcast in 2003.

From The Guardian • Feb. 19, 2018

The Irish star also had recurring roles in Cold Feet, Father Ted and the Royle Family.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2018

"Now, suppose it was me that brought in Cold Feet, who'd get the money?"

From The Rangeland Avenger by Brand, Max