cold feet

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold feet" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that suggests someone is feeling nervous or apprehensive about something. An example sentence might be: "I had cold feet about the job interview but I knew I had to give it my best shot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So Karzai got cold feet".

The New Yorker

Home buyers getting cold feet.

The New York Times

Does Hollywood have cold feet?

The Economist

Beware of cold feet.

Harvard Business Review

I got cold feet.

The Guardian - Travel

People get cold feet.

The New York Times

"No cold feet".

The New York Times - Style

The mob got cold feet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its lenders are also getting cold feet.

The New York Times

Now many are getting cold feet.

The Economist

First, his uncle got cold feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a change of heart or a sudden onset of nervousness, ensure the context clearly indicates that it's happening close to the event. For instance, say "He got cold feet right before the launch", not "He got cold feet last week".

Common error

Avoid using "cold feet" in contexts where you literally mean that someone's feet are cold. This idiom specifically refers to a feeling of apprehension or nervousness, not the physical sensation of coldness. Use alternative phrasing such as "Her feet were cold", "She had freezing feet" or "She had "chilly feet"" to describe literal coldness.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "cold feet" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb like "get" or "have". It describes a state of nervousness or apprehension. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is often used to indicate a sudden onset of fear or doubt before an important event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "cold feet" describes the feeling of nervousness or apprehension experienced before a significant event or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While commonly used, it is crucial to avoid literal interpretations and consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Remember to use the phrase to add relatable expression in your content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing nerve

Implies a loss of courage or confidence, leading to hesitation or withdrawal.

having second thoughts

Expresses a reconsideration or doubt about a previously made decision.

having reservations

Expresses doubts or concerns about a plan or course of action.

becoming hesitant

Suggests a reluctance or pause before taking action, indicating uncertainty.

feeling apprehensive

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

backing out

Indicates a decision to withdraw from a commitment or agreement, often due to fear or doubt.

drawing back

Suggests a physical or emotional withdrawal from a situation, often due to fear or uncertainty.

getting stage fright

Refers specifically to the anxiety before performing in front of an audience; broader application is for a high pressure situation.

chickening out

An informal way of saying someone is backing down from a challenge due to fear.

experiencing pre-wedding jitters

Relates to nervousness specifically before a wedding, a subset of "cold feet".

FAQs

What does it mean when someone gets "cold feet"?

Getting "cold feet" means becoming nervous or apprehensive about something important that you are about to do, especially a major commitment like getting married or starting a new job.

How can I use "cold feet" in a sentence?

You can say, "He was supposed to give the presentation, but he got "cold feet" at the last minute and couldn't go through with it".

What are some alternatives to saying someone got "cold feet"?

Instead of saying someone got "cold feet", you could say they "had second thoughts", "lost their nerve", or "became apprehensive".

Is it appropriate to use "cold feet" in formal writing?

While "cold feet" is widely understood, it is an informal idiom. In formal writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "experiencing apprehension" or "having reservations".