- Meaning
- This idiom describes a sudden loss of courage, confidence, or resolve, often at a critical moment before committing to an action, such as a major decision, marriage, or performance. It suggests nervousness or doubt that causes hesitation or withdrawal, evoking the physical sensation of coldness from fear or anxiety. The phrase is used in both serious and lighthearted contexts to express reluctance or second thoughts, often with a sympathetic or teasing tone.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 19th-century English, possibly from military contexts where soldiers’ cold feet (from fear or literal cold) made them reluctant to advance. An early metaphorical use appears in Stephen Crane’s 1896 novel *Maggie: A Girl of the Streets*, where a character ‘gets cold feet’ before a fight. Another theory links it to gambling slang, where a player ‘with cold feet’ lacks the nerve to bet. The phrase gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in American English, during discussions of weddings, where ‘cold feet’ became synonymous with bridal jitters. Its use in literature, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works, and later in pop culture, cemented its place in modern English.
- Variants
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- Get cold feet
- Have cold feet
- Getting cold feet
- Examples
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- She got cold feet just before the wedding and needed reassurance to go through with it.
- He had cold feet about signing the contract, worried about the financial risks.
- They’re getting cold feet about moving abroad now that the reality is sinking in.
- The actor got cold feet before his big debut, nearly missing his cue.
- Don’t get cold feet now—we’ve worked too hard to back out of the presentation.
- She had cold feet about quitting her job, unsure if the new venture would succeed.
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