Meaning & Origin
The idiom cold feet paints a vivid picture: when your feet turn cold, you want to retreat instead of moving forward. English first adopted the phrase in the late 1800s, likely from the German expression “kalte Füße bekommen,” which carries the same sense of sudden hesitation. Today it’s linked most famously to pre-wedding jitters but applies to any last-minute nervous withdrawal.
Pronunciation Guide
Say it clearly as COLD FEET: /koʊld fiːt/. Stress both words evenly, keep the “d” crisp, and make the long “ee” sound in feet.
Usage & Sentence Examples
- Investors got cold feet when the market dipped.
- He almost parachuted but developed cold feet at the door.
- Don’t get cold feet—you’ve practiced this speech for weeks!
Synonyms
- second thoughts
- the jitters
- nerves
- hesitation
- backing out
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