cold-feet
/ˌkəʊld ˈfiːt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Sudden fear or doubt before doing something important, especially when you are about to marry, perform, or take a big risk. It is usually used in the phrase "get cold feet."
- He got cold feet before the interview.
- Don't get cold feet now.
- She had cold feet on the wedding day.
Adinary Nuance
Cold feet is more specific than fear or nervousness. It means you lose confidence right before an important action. People often use it for weddings, big decisions, or risky plans. It is informal and usually appears in the phrase "get cold feet."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chùn bước
- Spanish
- echarse atrás
- Chinese
- 临阵退缩
- Japanese
- 尻込み
- Korean
- 겁먹고 물러섬
Etymology
This phrase is from informal English and became common in the early 1900s. It uses the idea of coldness to suggest fear, hesitation, or loss of courage.
Common phrases
get cold feethave cold feetcold feet before the wedding
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is cold feet formal or informal?
- It is informal. People use it in speech and casual writing, not in very formal reports.
- What is the difference between cold feet and nervousness?
- Nervousness is a general feeling. Cold feet means you want to back out before doing something important.
- Can I say 'I have cold feet' ?
- Yes, that is natural. More often, people say "I got cold feet."
- Is cold feet used in business English?
- Yes, sometimes. It can describe hesitation before a deal, move, or job change.