cold feet

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.

cold feet

plural noun

1. informal,  loss or lack of courage or confidence

cold feet

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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold feet¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

For years, record companies had expressed interest, then got cold feet.

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But the parent started to "get cold feet" as the process went on when they realised how life-changing this role would be.

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The financial sector appears to be getting cold feet about efforts to curb the effects of climate change.

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When Jonathan suggests that Morrison move into his apartment, Morrison gets cold feet.

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On the permission to use long-range missiles, critics of Biden have accused him of getting cold feet as he tries to help Harris into the White House.

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