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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some buyers are getting cold feet with everything going on in the world. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 Yes, but: Premarital counseling isn't meant to be a salve for cold feet. Carly Mallenbaum, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 Other symptoms—like cold hands, cold feet, and pale skin—could easily be attributed to climate, lifestyle, or weather. Christina Pérez, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024 Republicans, meanwhile, said that some Democrats had cold feet over a provision dealing with immigration. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold feet

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Cold feet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20feet. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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