cold feet

plural noun

: apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action

Examples of cold feet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Brides with cold feet are coming up with new, creative ways to get out of their weddings. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024 Inevitably, such conversations lead to organizations getting cold feet. Martin Taylor, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection The Wedding Singer (1998) To freeze some already cold feet. Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024 More automakers could get cold feet and scale back more plans. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 1 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cold feet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cold feet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold feet was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near cold feet

Cite this Entry

“Cold feet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20feet. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

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