Cold feet
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
A sudden loss of courage or confidence, especially before a big event or decision.
Origin
Possibly from soldiers retreating from battle due to literal cold feet in harsh conditions, or from an Italian phrase meaning to lack money or nerve, adapted into English by the 19th century.
Usage Examples
- He got cold feet right before proposing to her.
- She had cold feet about moving to a new city alone.
- They planned the heist but got cold feet at the last second.
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