get cold feet

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase get cold feet, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression get cold feet used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "get cold feet"

Meaning

The phrase 'get cold feet' is used to refer to someone who has a sudden change of heart or feels anxious and not confident about doing something they have previously agreed to do. It is usually used to describe someone who is about to undertake a major responsibility, such as getting married, taking a job, or entering a major competition.

Etymology

The phrase 'get cold feet' first appeared in print in the late 1800s and is believed to have originated from the fact that cold feet can cause physical discomfort and be a sign of fear or anxiety. It is believed that the phrase evolved as an analogy for someone who was feeling scared or nervous about something.

Usage

The phrase 'get cold feet' is often used as a humorous way to describe an internal feeling of nerves or anxiety, rather than an obvious physical symptom. It is used to describe someone whose confidence is waning before they take a major responsibility. The phrase can also be used in a more serious context to imply that someone is not as committed to a situation or task as they previously anticipated.

Example Sentences

• I was all set for the competition, but I got cold feet and had to back out.
• He was about to get married, but he got cold feet and called it off.
• The new manager was all set to take on the job, but he got cold feet in the last minute.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.