cold feet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “cold feet” mean?
A sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a significant event.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a significant event.
An idiom describing anxiety or fear that causes someone to withdraw from a commitment or planned action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the idiom identically.
Connotations
Slightly humorous or lighthearted connotation in both varieties, though the situation described may be serious.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “cold feet” in a Sentence
[Subject] + have/get + cold feet[Subject] + give + [Object] + cold feetVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cold feet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He got cold feet and cancelled the wedding.
- She's getting cold feet about moving abroad.
American English
- He got cold feet and called off the wedding.
- She's having cold feet about moving overseas.
adjective
British English
- The cold-feet groom disappeared before the ceremony.
- A cold-feet investor withdrew at the last minute.
American English
- The cold-feet groom vanished before the ceremony.
- A cold-feet investor pulled out at the last second.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when someone backs out of a deal or investment at the last moment.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; appears in psychology/sociology discussions of decision-making.
Everyday
Common in conversations about weddings, big purchases, or major life decisions.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cold feet”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cold feet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cold feet”
- Using singular 'cold foot' (incorrect).
- Saying 'take cold feet' instead of 'get/have cold feet'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's primarily informal. In formal contexts, use alternatives like 'hesitation' or 'loss of nerve'.
Not necessarily. Sometimes it indicates prudent caution, though it usually implies anxiety-driven withdrawal.
The exact origin is unclear, but it appears in early 20th-century American English, possibly relating to the physical effect of fear on circulation.
It's typically used for significant commitments (weddings, purchases, career moves), not minor choices.
A sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a significant event.
Cold feet: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊld ˈfiːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊld ˈfiːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get cold feet”
- “have cold feet”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine standing barefoot on ice before walking down the aisle – that chilling fear is 'cold feet' about getting married.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS COLD / COMMITMENT IS WALKING FORWARD
Practice
Quiz
What does 'get cold feet' typically express?