cold feet

plural noun

Synonyms of cold feetnext
: 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.
Democrats blasted it as an attempt to privatize the program, and even many Republicans got cold feet. — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 The simplest explanation is team ownership got cold feet. — John Romano, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025 Yes, but: Premarital counseling isn't meant to be a salve for cold feet. — Carly Mallenbaum, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 Some buyers are getting cold feet with everything going on in the world. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 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

Rhymes for cold feet

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Browse Nearby Words

cold feet
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Cite this Entry

“Cold feet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20feet. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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