There’s a special kind of fear that doesn’t show up at the beginning. It waits. It lets you plan. It lets you commit. It lets you tell everyone you’re in. And then, right before the moment of action, it taps you on the shoulder and says, “You sure about this?” That’s cold feet.
Getting cold feet means suddenly feeling nervous, uncertain, or fearful about something you were previously confident about, especially right before it happens. It’s not the fear of the unknown at the start. It’s the fear that arrives when things get real. Contracts are printed. Guests are invited. Bags are packed. And suddenly, your confidence melts.
This idiom shows up most famously around weddings, but it applies to far more than marriage. People get cold feet before quitting a job, launching a business, moving to a new city, making a big purchase, or even having a difficult conversation. The pattern is always the same: commitment first, doubt second.
What makes cold feet so relatable is that it doesn’t mean you were wrong to commit. It often means the stakes finally registered. When something shifts from idea to reality, your brain does a quick risk audit. “This is permanent.” “This could fail.” “This changes everything.” That’s when fear tightens its grip.
Cold feet isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it’s a warning sign worth listening to. Other times, it’s just fear trying to keep you comfortable. The challenge is knowing which one you’re dealing with. This idiom captures that tense moment where courage and caution wrestle it out, and neither side is clearly wrong.
For a trusted dictionary definition, you can also check cold feet on Merriam-Webster.
Meaning
The idiom “cold feet” means suddenly losing confidence or becoming nervous about doing something you had previously planned or agreed to do.
Example Sentences
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He got cold feet the night before the job interview and didn’t show up.
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She had cold feet about moving abroad and delayed the decision.
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They almost canceled the wedding because of cold feet.
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I was excited at first, but now I’m getting cold feet about the investment.
Origin
The origin of “cold feet” goes back to the late 19th century and is believed to be tied to physical discomfort and fear. One theory traces it to soldiers or gamblers who became physically cold when fear set in, affecting circulation and causing literal cold feet. Another theory connects it to poor footwear or exposure, where cold feet symbolized weakness or inability to proceed.
The idiom gained popularity in American English around the early 1900s and quickly became associated with backing out of commitments. Over time, it moved from physical unease to emotional hesitation, which made it far more versatile.
What helped this phrase endure is how accurately it mirrors the sensation of fear. Anxiety often manifests physically. Sweaty palms. Tight chest. Restlessness. Cold extremities. The body reacts before the mind finishes rationalizing.
Eventually, “cold feet” settled into its current meaning, perfectly describing that moment when resolve fades just before action. The phrase stuck because people kept experiencing the same emotional pattern, generation after generation.
Synonyms
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Second thoughts
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Last-minute doubt
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Back out
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Lose nerve
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Have reservations
Collocations
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Get cold feet
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Have cold feet
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Give someone cold feet
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Develop cold feet
How to Use It in Everyday Language
You use “cold feet” when you want to describe hesitation that happens after commitment, not before. That timing matters. If someone never agreed in the first place, they didn’t get cold feet. They were just unsure.
For example, saying “She had cold feet about the wedding” implies she once felt confident. Saying “She was unsure from the start” does not. This idiom captures reversal, not indecision.
It works well in casual conversation, storytelling, and even professional contexts, as long as the tone is appropriate. Just remember, it often carries emotional weight, so use it thoughtfully when talking about sensitive decisions.
Why It’s Still Relevant Today
If modern life has one defining trait, it’s choice overload. More options mean more pressure, and more pressure means more cold feet. People today face bigger decisions with fewer safety nets, which makes hesitation feel inevitable.
Career paths are less linear. Relationships are more complex. Big decisions are more public, thanks to social media. When everyone knows what you’re about to do, backing out feels heavier. That pressure fuels cold feet like never before.
This idiom survives because it describes a universal human moment: standing on the edge of change. Whether you step forward or pull back, that pause matters. Naming it helps normalize it. You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human.
Cold feet reminds us that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear. It means deciding what to do with it.
🎯 Interactive Section: Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
Which situation best fits “cold feet”?
A) Not wanting to plan a trip
B) Canceling plans at the last minute due to fear
C) Thinking carefully before agreeing
D) Saying no from the beginning
Correct answer: B
🎯 Real-Life Scenario
Someone accepts a promotion that requires relocating. Weeks later, boxes are packed, the lease is ending, and doubt sets in. They start imagining everything that could go wrong and consider backing out. That surge of hesitation is classic cold feet.
🎯 Common Mistake to Avoid
Don’t confuse cold feet with careful planning. Cold feet comes after commitment, not before. If there was never a clear “yes,” the idiom doesn’t apply.
❄️ Explore More Winter Idioms
Enjoyed this idiom? This is just one expression from our winter idioms collection. Explore more cold-weather phrases and their meanings to keep your English sharp all season long.
