get cold feet
idiom/ɡɛt kəʊld fiːt/
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Get cold feet means to suddenly become too nervous or afraid to do something you had planned, usually right before doing it. It often happens before big moments like a wedding, a speech, or an important decision.
📖 Meanings
1to suddenly lose your nerve before doing something
"He got cold feet and canceled the wedding." — He suddenly lost his nerve and canceled the wedding.
2to back out due to nervousness before an important moment
"I was going to give a speech but got cold feet." — I was going to give a speech but became too nervous.
🔄 Related phrases
💬 Common patterns
get cold feetgot cold feethaving cold feet
❓ How do you say you became too nervous to do something at the last minute?