Cold feet
/koʊld fit/
B2
Definition
"Cold feet" means feeling afraid or unsure about doing something, often just before it happens. It is not about actual cold feet but a way to say someone is scared or worried about going forward with a plan, like getting married or speaking in public.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
Feeling nervous or scared before doing something important
- •She got cold feet before her wedding and wanted to cancel.
- •He had cold feet about giving the speech in front of many people.
- •Many people get cold feet before starting a new job.
Losing confidence or courage at the last moment
- •The runner got cold feet and did not join the race.
- •Investors sometimes get cold feet and pull out of deals.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cold feet" like "nervous" but more about fear that stops you from doing something you planned.
- ✓Picture your feet feeling very cold, making you want to stop and not move forward.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you suddenly want to run away from a big challenge or decision.
- ✓Sounds like "cold feet" → imagine your feet freezing and making you hesitate or stop.
- ✓In stories or movies, a character might get "cold feet" before a wedding or big event, showing fear or doubt.
- ✓NOT like "excited" (happy and eager), "cold feet" means scared or worried.
- ✓NOT like "change of mind" (a simple decision), "cold feet" shows fear that makes you hesitate.
- ✓NOT like "freeze" (stop moving physically), "cold feet" is about feeling scared, not just stopping.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Apprehension: feeling worried or afraid (Use when the feeling is more general and less about stopping an action)
- •Hesitation: pause or delay because of doubt or fear (Use when focusing on the action of stopping or delaying)
- •Fear: strong feeling of being afraid (Use when the emotion is very strong and clear)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Phrase parts: "cold" (low temperature) + "feet" (part of the body)
- •Etymology: Comes from old expressions where cold feet meant fear or doubt stopping someone from acting
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 19th century to describe fear before an important action
- •Modern usage: Common phrase to talk about last-minute fear or doubt, especially in personal or professional situations
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you or someone you know got cold feet before doing something important? What happened?
•How do people usually overcome cold feet and feel brave enough to continue?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.She got cold feet ___ the wedding because she was worried about the future.
2.When he started to feel cold feet, he ___ about going on stage to speak.
3.Cold feet means feeling afraid or unsure, ___ excited or confident.
4.Investors sometimes get cold feet and ___ their plans at the last moment.
5.The phrase "cold feet" uses body parts to describe ___ feelings, not actual temperature.
6.People often get cold feet ___ big changes or decisions in their life.
7.If someone has cold feet, they might ___ to do what they first planned.