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

With the market suddenly getting cold feet over artificial intelligence, investors have been snapping up shares of long-neglected staples stocks.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

More buyers are feeling anxious about their job security, triggering cold feet before closing in some cases, according to real-estate agents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

The cold feet so many buyers are feeling reflects the current vibe of uncertainty in today’s housing market.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 23, 2025

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

From BBC • May 31, 2025

When we were almost next, the little girl in front of us got cold feet about going down the tall slide, so she turned around to let us pass.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio